YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT.

BY: JOSHUA GANDEE
Creative Director, Watershed’s Bar

It’s summer which means grills, patios, and cocktails. It’s time to introduce your friends to that new grill recipe you’ve been meaning to try out, pouring up a pitcher of drinks, and enjoying each other’s company while those string lights you hung in the trees begin to twinkle.

The interest in more complex recipes has risen over the last year as people began to learn where their food comes from and had more time at home to spend perfecting a craft. As the producers of fine spirits, we often keep the recipes we share more on the simple side as a way of introducing readers to a spirit new to them or to let the latest release shine.

Today we’re going to go over some adjustments you can make to simple syrup as a way of extracting new and exciting flavors without adding too much sugar, or too much effort to your at-home drinks. A common theme we keep throughout these recipe blogs is that simple adjustments, and minor tweaks can result in new and exciting flavors that amplify our delicious spirits.

Simple syrup is an easy way to add a touch of sweetness and mouthfeel to a cocktail. There are many ways of making simple syrup, but at its base, it is dissolving sugar into liquid (usually water.) The ratio of sugar to water can change depending on your application but is generally something you can produce in a pinch. You may see 1:1 or 2:1 being thrown around in these and other recipe blogs, but don’t fret, that isn’t a mathematic equation you slept through in school. It is simply the amount of sugar to water used in a recipe. 1:1 or Sugar:Water means it is equal parts, so one cup of sugar to one cup of water. These equal parts solutions are what you would usually use with white sugar and then use in shaken drinks like a collins, or a daisy. 2:1 or two cups of sugar to one cup of water is what’s referred to as a “rich” simple syrup. You’ll typically see an Old Fashioned recipe call for this when you want to sweeten a spirit, apply a nice mouthfeel, but not add dilution.

The simple syrups we’re going to learn about today will both use the 1:1 ratio and will be using fresh fruit juice in place of water. Fruit juice carries its own natural sweetness which will be bolstered by the sugar for a delicious and pleasing result.

For this portion, you’ll want to fire up your grill, because this is where things start getting delicious. For these recipes, we recommend pineapple and watermelon.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Slightly underripe fruit (Watermelon/Pineapple)

A high heat oil (Grapeseed of Safflower)

Tongs

Brush

Blender

Sieve

Wooden Spoon

Picking fruit that is slightly underripe will work best for grilling as they are softened during cook time and will ensure the fruit stays intact. Grilling fruit is a great way to sear and extract flavors that don’t occur naturally. The application of a little char from the grill brings out warming robust flavors great for syrups. Cooking on a grill is a high heat interaction. Your fruit will likely be on the grill for three minutes, so it is imperative that you have an oil that can handle the heat which is why we recommend grapeseed or safflower. Tongs will keep you from having to touch the fruit with your bare hands and make it easier to turn and remove from the grates. A good brush will make it easy to apply the oil to your fruit prior to grilling.

When grilling fruit you’ll want to ensure that the pieces you cut are larger than what you’d serve for say a fruit salad, because you’ll want enough surface area to grab, turn, and remove the fruit with your tongs without it falling between the grates.

WHAT AM I DOING?

Slice your fruit into large segments, brush with oil, and apply to a clean and hot grill. Leave without turning for around three minutes until there is noticeable char on your fruit. Once finished, remove from grill and let rest. Once cooled, add your fruit to a blender and blend on high for roughly five minutes. Pour your blended fruit through a fine sieve and press with wooden spoon. For every cup of grilled juice add a cup of white sugar and stir until dissolved. This process remains the same for both pineapple and watermelon. Bottle and refrigerate once finished. Simple syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.

THE RECIPES

Four Piña Gin

2oz Watershed Four Peel Gin

.75oz Grilled Pineapple Syrup

.75oz Fresh Lime Juice

Pinch of salt

Add all ingredients into a shaker tin and shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with cubed pineapple.

The charred pineapple shines alongside citrusy gin and bright lime juice. You’ll be able to taste the work done on the grill without losing the essence of summer. A hefty pinch of salt amplifies the flavor of the pineapple and makes you long for another sip. Turn this into a highball by building in a collins glass and topping with seltzer.

Seamlessly Seedless

2oz Watershed Bourbon

.75oz Grilled Watermelon Syrup

.5oz Fresh Lemon Juice

4oz Ginger Beer

Add all ingredients except ginger beer to a shaker tin and shake until well chilled. Strain over new ice in a collins glass and top with ginger beer. Serve with a slice of fresh watermelon.

Spicy ginger beer helps bring out the robust grill flavors of the watermelon. Served long with fresh lemon juice this drinks like a fortified agua fresca great in a pitcher or punch bowl for having people over.

Feel free to play around with different fruits and flavors to perfect your grilled cocktail category at home. We hope these serve as a fun jumping-off point for your cocktail-making fun, and if you recreate them please tag us so it can hopefully inspire someone’s next drink!

Cheers,

Josh