Meet my new friend…….Mermaid Pink Gin!

While perusing one of my favorite stores…..Total Wine, I saw a new face on the shelf that I hadn’t seen before. She was a shining bright pink in a sea of clear bottles, and I knew I needed her the second our eyes locked! After getting home, we became fast friends, and I have enjoyed trying different citrus and fruit pallets with her subtle hint of strawberry and botanicals.

I have always been fascinated by mermaids. I love stories about them and the magic they spread has always entranced me. There is something almost calming about how they present themselves. I think I’m a little bit jealous of them too. They get to spend their days on the water, with the fish and other sea creatures, which has always been a happy place of mine. I am never happier than when I’m on or near the water and it’s something that I crave in between the times that I get to be with her.

One of my favorite things to do, is sit and watch sunsets. They are always different every night, and each one unique to what the day has done to make it happen. So many different factors decide what colors and cloud shapes will appear and just like snow flakes, no two will ever be the same. Indigo is my favorite color in a sunset, but when the conditions are just right, a beautiful shade of light orange appears before fading into the blue hues that means darkness will soon be upon us. That sherbet shade always lights the sky up and makes the clouds so vibrant against its backdrop. Sometimes, I think it’s God’s way of saying goodnight to us. Like my son when he wants one more story before bed, it’s God giving us one more show before it’s time to rest.

So, when I saw this beautiful pour, singing her siren song to me from the shelf, I knew I needed to make something special with her. With summer coming to a close, I wanted to utilize its beautiful flavors in my concoction to pair with my Mermaid’s strawberry undertones. In came fresh peaches, mint (from my cocktail garden!) and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, both for its tang, as well as the sherbet color it brings with it. I don’t like my drinks super sweet, but if you do, please feel free to play around with this recipe. The Mermaid will enjoy the fun! Add a little simple syrup to taste, or muddle some sugar cane with the mint and peaches before you add the grapefruit juice. This will help add the hint of sweetness that you crave.

Ingredients:

• 4-5 fresh mint leaves
• 1/3 fresh peeled peach
• 1 shot of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
• Ice for shaker
• 1-2 shots of Mermaid Pink gin (I like making mine doubles!)
• Regular tonic water to top

Recipe:

• In a shaker, combine mint, peach, and grapefruit juice.
• Muddle until peaches are almost smooth and mint is lightly crushed.
• Add ice and gin.
• Shake until well mixed.
• Strain into the glass of your choice (ice can be added if you’re sipping on a hot evening!)
• Garnish with something pretty.
• ENJOY!!

Remember, if you want something a little sweeter to sip on, add simple syrup before muddling, or cane sugar with the mint and peaches, muddle, and then add grapefruit juice and continue on with the recipe!

As always, have the Best Day of Your Life and come back next week for more great pours!