Green Cocktail Recipes

Here are a few favorite recipes for green gin, ginger ale, and a selection of cocktails for all seasons and occasions.

Easy Homemade Gin

Ingredients:
1 bottle (750 mL) inexpensive vodka
2 Tbsp juniper berries
3/4 tsp coriander seed
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp fennel seed
3 green cardamom pods
2 black peppercorns
1 bay leaf, torn into pieces
1 (3-inch) sprig fresh rosemary
1 (2-inch-long) fresh lemon or lime peel
1 (1-inch) sprig fresh lavender

1. Directions:
   
2. Before going to bed, infuse the juniper in the vodka and let it sit overnight.
   
3. In the morning, add the remaining spices and herbs, and let it infuse all day.
   
4. At the end of the day, strain out the botanicals, grab your cocktail shaker or favorite glass, mix your favorite gin cocktails, and enjoy!
   

Homemade Ginger Ale

Ingredients:
1 1/2 Tbsp grated ginger
1 lemon
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon yeast
cool water
clean 2-liter bottle or growler jug

1. Directions:
   
2. Juice the lemon and set it aside.
   
3. Pour the sugar into the bottle.
   
4. Pour the yeast into the bottle. Shake the bottle so that the yeast and sugar are mixed well.
   
5. Pour the ginger and the lemon juice into the bottle.
   
6. Fill the bottle about one-quarter full of cold water and shake well again, so that everything is mixed well and the sugar and yeast are dissolved.
   
7. Fill up the bottle with water until nearly but not quite full, leaving an inch or two of space from the lid.
   
8. Leave out the bottle in a warm spot for 2-3 days, or until it's carbonated to the degree you want. Chill the ginger ale in the fridge and enjoy. (You'll probably want to filter the ginger ale as you pour it into the glass. Otherwise you'll get little bits of grated ginger stuck on your lips.)
   

Black Pearl Cocktail

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Stir until well chilled and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Lemon Drop Cocktail

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake until sugar is dissolved. Rim a Martini glass with fresh lemon and sugar, and add drink mixture. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Maple Leaf Cocktail

In a cocktail shaker, add fresh lemon juice, sugar and fresh or frozen cranberries. Muddle or mash thoroughly. Fill the shaker with ice and add vodka and maple syrup (to taste). Shake sharply and strain into a Martini glass. Garnish with a frozen cranberry.

Fireside Martini

Shake until frothy and strain into a Martini glass rimmed with crushed chocolate.

Cajun Martini

Pour the vodka chilled from the freezer into a chilled Martini glass. Add Tabasco (or favorite hot sauce) and garnish with the green bean.

Rusty Nail

Pour Scotch over ice in an old-fashioned glass. Float the Drambuie on top; do not stir. Garnish with lemon twist.

Sources: Epicurious, Gourmet.com.

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