Cocktails for that post-shorn feeling

BY: JOSHUA GANDEE
Creative Director, Watershed Bar

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

There are spring cocktail blogs, yes. In fact, we’ve written one or two in the past. This blog exists for a specific and unique activity that only spring could afford us. As the buds of trees turn into full-on leaves, the warm air from the west can be heard before it’s felt as it moves between the trees. The flitting of pollinators as they approach anything with a stamen, the sprouting of tulips and daffodils, and the incessant urge to start buying grass seed. It’s a natural progression of the seasons, one where you one day wake up and for no reason, in particular, you have an opinion on gas vs. electric string trimmers. You start by stowing away any heavy sweatshirts, putting hats and gloves into bins with the type of effort that tells anyone around you “I won’t be needing these for a while!”

It’s time to mow the lawn. It will become an activity you do weekly for what will feel like the rest of your life until the air inevitably turns cool and the seasons allow you to punch your time card and retire to the living room for 3 long winter months. You’ll practice new techniques, try out different products, and maybe even consider hiring a service but one thing will remain the same; that look you give a finished lawn. This is where some quality cocktails come in. Nothing is better than pulling up a chair facing out to a finished earthen haircut and taking a sip of an ice-cold libation. The sound of ice shaking, or cans cracking lets every household within earshot know that you’ve reached the completion of a job well done and that you dare them to come to take a look.

While I could take this opportunity to teach you some wild techniques that involve cultivating a little herb garden, and proper tips on how to maintain it throughout the summer, I think it is in both our best interest to keep it simple, keep it refreshing, and to keep em comin’. Our Four Peel Gin is a patio getaway in a bottle, and it doesn’t take much to add to it to create a refreshing sipper that’ll mark your new favorite spring cocktail. Why, you can almost feel the sweat of the glass against your palm already, huh?

THE MINTY FOUR PEEL COLLINS

The Four Peel Collins itself is a delightful cooler, but the addition of mint further ties your relationship with your lawn. Using mint in cocktails is as easy as picking some leaves, giving them a little smack, and using it as a garnish. The oils in mint imply freshness and let your nose know what you’re about to get into before you even take a sip. The bright sharpness that mint brings as aromatic pairs nicely with the fresh lemon juice, and the citrus notes found in the gin.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Watershed Four Peel Gin
Lemons
Simple Syrup*
Seltzer
Fresh Mint
Collins Glass
Spoon

*To make simple syrup combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup hot water and stir until dissolved. Keep in refrigerator for up to three weeks.

MINTY FOUR PEEL COLLINS

2oz Four Peel Gin
.75oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
.75oz Simple Syrup
4oz Seltzer
6-8 Mint Leaves

Add all ingredients except mint to a collins glass and gently stir to combine. Place mint leaves in the palm of your hand and gently smack to release oils. Nicely bunch together in a small bouquet and rest between the ice and the glass for a garnish.

This cocktail can easily be scaled up to be enjoyed from a pitcher if you are having people over to look at your lawn. For a larger batch simply smack some mint and stir with other ingredients for a mild infusion of flavor.

FINE AND SHANDY

This simple mix pays homage to the light beer and is used as the effervescence to amplify the fresh flavors that surround it. Beer is an underutilized lifter that really can bring an extra element of flavor to cocktails. If you have a refreshing can you enjoy, think about using it as a topper in places where tonic or soda usually reside.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Watershed Four Peel Gin
Grapefruits
Honey Syrup*
A Can of Beer (Pilsner works best, but feel free to play around)

*Using honey on its own is a little more difficult to work with, as it gets stuck to the bottom of a glass or shaker tin and puts up a fuss to get unstuck. Turning it into a syrup makes it more malleable, but keep in mind it adds a shelf life so after completion make sure to refrigerate it. To make, simply add 1 cup of honey to half a cup of water, bring to a boil until dissolved, and let cool.

FINE AND SHANDY

1.5oz Four Peel Gin
2oz Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
1oz Honey Simple Syrup
5oz Beer

Add all ingredients to a glass of your choosing with ice, and gently stir to combine. Garnish with a grapefruit half moon and enjoy.

Just like the collins above, this can be formatted into a pitcher so you only have to measure once and top everyone off as they say things like “wow, the lawn looks great” or “you’ll have to come do mine next.”

These recipes are just a jumping-off point that are easy to execute and just as delicious. As you get deeper into the season feel free to experiment with our other gins, or even plugging in bourbon for these drinks. You can have some fun with the types of beer, citrus, or herbs you use for these as well to start making them your own. While it isn’t necessary, these recipes are best prepared while wearing a pair of white new balances.

Happy mowing, happy mixing.
Josh