The New Mojito?

When it's 110 degrees outside, it's absolutely vital to have a good go-to cold beverage available.

Voila! Introducing the....

Vodka Lime Freeze

1/4 cup vodka (for a pitcher that serves 12: 3 cups)
1/8 cup fresh lime juice (pitcher: 3/4 cup)
1/4 cup ginger syrup (see recipe below - or you could probably buy ready-made syrup)(pitcher: 1 1/2 cups)

Chill martini glass in freezer for at least a half hour. Mix ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour. Beware.

Personally, I don't think I know 12 people who would like the spicy ginger of these drinks too much. That's good. It means you won't have to share. I on the other hand think they're good enough to usurp the mojito as my summer beverage of choice.


Ginger Syrup
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 lb fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1 vanilla bean (or a quick splash of vanilla extract)
4 whole cloves
1 cup fresh mint leaves

Combine everything except mint leaves in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved and syrup is infused with flavah - about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mint. Let cool for 1 hour.

Line a sieve with cheesecloth (or not - if you're me), strain into a resealable jar, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

WARNING: Ginger syrup is seriously bite-y. If you don't like ginger, you won't like these drinks.


For a non-alcoholic drink, put a bunch of ice, 2 tablespoons of ginger syrup, and 1 tablespoon of crystallized ginger for purtyness in a tall glass and fill with tonic water. Stir.



I got and slightly modified this recipe from Williams-Sonoma's Outdoor Entertaining.