Spring is here, and summer is shortly around the corner. That means tanned skin, fewer clothes, and delicious cocktails. I recently attended a birthday party and someone brought a bottle of Ketel One Botanical – Grapefruit and Rose. I have seen it many times in the liquor store on my way to the gin countless times, but I always passed on purchasing it because it didn’t feel right drinking grapefruit vodka in the middle of a polar vortex. Anyway, since the birthday party was BYOB, there werefewer a plethora of options. I selected the Ketel One Botanical, mixed it with cranberry and lemonade, and it was surprisingly refreshing and delicious. I could immediately smell the aromatic grapefruit and the drink was very smooth.
I ended up purchasing a bottle the next time I went to the liquor store and this time I mixed it with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice with a splash of Rose’s Lime and fresh lime juice. It was one of the smoothest cocktails I have ever tasted since my Grey Goose La Poire and pear nectar phase years ago. Ketel One also has Cucumber & Mint and Peach & Orange Blossom as additional flavors. Below are a couple more recipes to try for the Grapefruit & Rose flavor. Next time you are at the liquor store, grab a bottle and let me know what you think! ,
Rose Martini
Recipe from The Better Daze
INGREDIENTS
1 Egg White
2oz – Ketel One Grapefruit & Rose
1/2 oz – Lime Juice (half of a lime)
1/2 oz – Simple Syrup
Splash of White Grapefruit Juice
1oz Splash of Cranberry
Splash of Sprite
INSTRUCTIONS
Starting with the egg whites, you’re going to have to put in some work. In order to create that foamy texture. You will need to do a dry shake, meaning shake without ice. 1. Simple put the egg white in the shaker and shake for about a minute. 2. Add Ice 3. Add the next five ingredients 4. Shake again 5. Pour 6. Add a splash of sprite on top
7. Garnish with a lime
NOTES
Add enough cranberry to give the drink that light blush color. You can add more if you like.
Bubbly Rose
Recipe from Big Hair & Foodie Fare
INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit and Rose
1/4 oz simple syrup
1 slice of red grapefruit, squeezed for juice
1 oz sparkling wine
INSTRUCTIONS
Build cocktail over ice in a shaker tin using all ingredients sans the sparkling wine
Shake vigorously until well chilled
Strain into a coup or martini glass
Top with sparkling wine
Garnish with a grapefruit twist and rose petals
NOTES
You can also substitute any floral liqueur for the Flora liqueur if you can’t find it in your local store. St. Germain Elderflower liqueur would be a good substitute and can be easily found at the grocery or your local liquor store.
Also- make sure your roses are certified organic before using them as a garnish- most roses are treated heavily with pesticides and you wouldn’t want to put any of those toxic chemicals in your cocktail!