Herbal Stone Fruit Prosecco Sangria

 
I wanted to create a garden fresh sangria using Prosecco - one of my favorite summertime drinks.  Sangria has always had a random element to it for me - wine, a sweet liqueur, and whatever fresh fruit is in season.

Stone fruits dominate the market lately, so I picked up some gorgeous Pulots and one of my favorite obscure fruits, Gooseberries.  If you can't find gooseberries in your market substitute with red grapes, or other types of plums to add a range of color to your sangria.  I picked up some fresh thyme as well, which is a great floral herb that pairs marvelously with sweet drinks.

Spicy Raspberry Chipotle Gin Fizz

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I've been enjoying more savory cocktails as of late, and I have been having a lot of fun trying to mix different kinds of flavors into a cocktail.  I love a spicy kick in many different types of cocktails, especially in a bright, citrus-y Margarita.  Sadly, the lime crisis has been cramping my Margarita game, so I've been experimenting with different types of cocktails.

Gin Fizzes are a fantastic canvas for experimentation, due to the fluffy egg white that acts as a vessel for whatever flavors you impart upon it.  So, how about a spicy gin fizz?  Yes please!!

The Siren's Call - A Cocktail with Clarified Lime Juice

There's been a bit of experimentation here at Gastronomista HQ, my better half has been testing recipes for clarified lime juice.  It's a simple, yet time consuming process, but the results are quite stunning in cocktail form.  Lime juice usually is a bit cloudy, but by removing all the pulp, it yields a gorgeous and bright green juice.

The process uses Agar Agar powder, a vegetarian gelatin made from seaweed.  The agar binds to the solids of the fruit, and when strained separates from the clear liquid of your juice. It performs very well in cocktails, keeping them bright and transparent, and dangerously seductive.

One might throw themselves upon rocky shores for a taste of The Siren's Call, made with Owney's Rum, Thai Chili Infused Green Chartreuse, and Clarified Lime Juice.  It's a gorgeous cocktail - the bright greens of the lime and the chartreuse seem to glow in the glass.

Godspeed, fellow drinkers.  Godspeed.

The Siren's Call
Created by Gastronomista

1 1/2 oz Owneys White Rum
3/4 oz Thai Chili Infused Green Chartreuse
1/2 oz Clarified Lime Juice

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail coupe.

Optional Garnish - A whole Thai Chili

Cheers!

Clarified Lime Juice

20 oz of Fresh Lime Juice, strained
1/2 c Water
2/3 t. Agar Agar Powder
Cheesecloth
Strainer

Instructions:

Bring water to a near boil, and stir in the Agar agar.  Lower heat and let simmer for 2-5 minutes, until the agar is dissolved.  Pour into a metal bowl, and add lime juice, whisking as you pour.  Once the mixture is thoroughly mixed, put in the refrigerator until the gelatin sets.

Line strainer with a few layers of cheesecloth, and pour gelatin onto cheesecloth.  Allow liquid to drip through, and then raise up the cheesecloth, gently squeezing with your hands.  Make sure none of the "curds" come through the straining process.

Behold, clear lime juice!