Late in the day, right after the sun has set, comes the most magical hour of summertime: twilight. That perfect time of day when the temperature has cooled, crickets start chirping, fireflies twinkling, and the day winds down. It’s the perfect time to sit on the porch while sipping a cocktail, watching another summer day come to an end. This special summer moment got us (of course!) thinking about cocktails, and inspired us to bring you two perfect summer cocktail recipes. These summer mixed drinks both use refreshing fresh fruit purees, and have been designed by two of the top restaurants in the country.
Left: The Bouley Apple Martini, photo compliments of Bouley Restaurant. Right: The Fiesta Fatale Margarita, compliment of Patricia Richards.
THE BOULEY APPLE MARTINI: Fresh Sophistication
Where to find it: The Bouley Restaurant, NYC, NY
Apples. That’s the first thing that comes to mind once you enter the famous Bouley Restaurant in Tribeca. This modern French eatery by four-star chef David Bouley is all about classic romance, with silver candelabra, vaulted ceilings and sumptuous velvet chairs, but it also has one very distinct, signature décor item: apples. Lined up in wooden shelves at the entrance of the restaurant, fresh, juicy apples welcome you, scenting the air and preparing your senses for the gastronomic adventure to come.
With that inspiration in mind, Bouley serves up a famous (and delicious!) signature drink: the Bouley Apple Martini. This electric green cocktail is the perfect beverage for summer, with fresh apple notes and a touch of sweetness. It’s made using apple fruit puree, giving it a distinct fresh touch. Not travelling to NYC anytime soon? No worries! They were nice to enough to share the recipe with us, so that you can enjoy your very own Bouley Apple Martini at home, while listening to the cicadas sing on a hot summer night!
BOULEY APPLE MARTINI
- 2 oz. Ravifruit apple puree
- 2 oz. Apple Vodka
- ½ oz. Pommeau de Normandie
- Apple chip
Fiesta Fatale MARGARITA: Exotic summertime heat
Where to find it: Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas
Las Vegas is all about excess, luxury and indulgence, and the food and drink at the Encore Wynn Hotel is no exception. The drink design at the Las Vegas Wynn properties (all 25 of them!) is helmed by Patricia Richards, master mixologist and drink crafter extraordinaire. With over 20 years in the business of mixing delicious drinks, Patricia is not only at the top of her field, but is also a pioneer for women in the industry.
She describes her tequila-based “Fiesta Fatale Margarita, as a cocktail with “a hint of spice with bright citrus notes and subtle savory notes from the fresh basil. It blends the intensity of the tequila with the sweetness of the agave nectar and Passionfruit fruit puree. The spicy twist is compliments of the Creole Shrubb Liqueur, a blend of white and aged Agricole Rhums macerated with Creole spices and bitter orange peels. Finally, some fresh sour notes of lemon and limejuice. Fresh, spicy and exotic, every sip of Fiesta Fatale brings on the heat and evokes sultry, sweaty nights in the Mexican Caribbean!
Fiesta Fatale Margarita
- 1 ½ oz.Milagro Anejo Tequila
- ¾ oz. Clement Creole Shrubb Liqueur
- ¼ oz. Ravifruit frozen, sweetened, passion fruit puree
- 5/8 oz. Milagro Light Agave Nectar
- 5/8 oz. Freshly Squeezed & Strained Lemon Juice
- 1 oz. Fresh Squeezed & Strained Lime Juice
- 3 Fresh Basil Leaves
- 1 good pinch of Kosher Salt
Freshly squeeze & strain lemon juice and then combine it with equal parts of Milagro Light Agave nectar to make an agave sour mix. Set aside. In a mixing glass, muddle basil leaves with freshly squeezed limejuice. Add the remaining ingredients listed, including the agave sour that you just made (1.25 oz.). Shake well with ice to chill and strain over fresh ice into a tumbler glass. As garnish, top with a small basil top and several dried Chile threads.
Ravifruit fruit purees
Want to try your hand at more summer cocktails? Just use any of our Ravifruit fruit purees, combine with your favorite spirit like vodka, gin or tequila, lots of ice, and concoct refreshing drinks sure to beat the heat!