Solar-Powered Cocktail Recipes
Cocktail Recipes for Sunny Sips
What’s the best way to make a cocktail? With solar power, of course! Across Vermont and the Hudson Valley, SunCommon has solarized a heaping handful of distilleries, breweries, and vineyards. When businesses make the switch to solar power, it saves them money AND makes our grid greener… So, let’s cheers to a brighter future!
Since it’s almost summertime, we were wondering what kind of sunny sips you could make using (mostly) solar-powered beverages. We compiled a few of our favorites — We hope you love them as much as we do! And if you’ve got suggestions, please let us know… We’re always looking for a little Gin-spiration!
Gin & Tonic
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a classic cocktail, especially when it features one of our favorite spirits: Barr Hill Gin! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 ounces Barr Hill Gin
- Your favorite Craft Tonic
- 1 Lemon or Lime Wedge
Better yet, this is easy to make! In a tall glass filled with ice, add your gin then fill ‘er up with tonic. Then, add your garnish!
Gin & Hard Seltzer
Jumping off the classic G&T, we’re mixing it up with a beverage we just learned about from our friends at Rock Art Brewery. They’ve been running on solar since 2017 and are renowned for their craft beers. However, they recently released a spiked seltzer, and we think that’s worth a special shout out:
- 6 slices English Cucumber (plus a little extra for garnish)
- 1 Lime, halved
- 2 ounces Gin
- Rock Art Lime Spiked Seltzer
In a large glass, muddle cucumber slices and juice from 1/2 lime until cucumber is lightly crushed. Add gin and stir until combined. Fill two double old fashioned glasses with ice. Divide gin mixture between glasses. Top each glass with hard seltzer and garnish with additional cucumber slices, if desired. Cut your remaining lime half into two wedges; garnish drinks with lime wedges and serve immediately.
Ruby Red & Rosemary Cocktail
Next up? Let’s sip on some of Stoutridge Vineyard’s famous Six² Vodka! Subtly sweet cocktail recipes like this will be the talk of your next summer gathering:
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 1/4 cup Water
- 2 ounces fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit juice
- 1.5 ounces Six² Vodka
- 1/2 Lemon, juiced
- 2 sprigs of Rosemary
- 1 dash of Sea Salt (trust us on this one!)
First, make a honey simple syrup: Pour your honey and water into a small saucepan and warm over medium heat. Then, use a whisk to blend the honey into the water and remove from heat. Next, fill a small cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in your fresh grapefruit juice, vodka, lemon juice and honey simple syrup. Top with a sprig of rosemary and a dash of sea salt. Put on the lid and shake until the mixture is thoroughly chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a small sprig of rosemary. Serve immediately.
Last, but certainly not least…
For our final drink, we thought we’d throw something out there for our hard working hammock-hangers who just finished mowing the lawn. If you’re not feeling the cocktail recipes, don’t have the energy for shakers and simple syrup, or just ran out of ice… Crack open a solar-powered beer! Our friends at 14th Star Brewery chose Community Solar to power their business, and The Alchemist decided to go with our Solar Canopy!
So, why are all of these folks going out of their way to make solarized spirits? It’s because where you shop matters, and voting with your dollar really does add up: By supporting local businesses that support clean energy, you’re sending a clear message about what a brighter future looks like to YOU! Plus, if you do go solar with us, all of your cocktails will be sips of sunshine… Cheers, everyone!