Ask A Sacramento Expert: Best Summertime Vodka Cocktails
Mark Neuhauser
Tres Hermanas
2416 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 443-6919
www.trehermanasonk.com
Mark Neuhauser has been pleasing his guests in Sacramento for almost 15 years. Mark started his bartending career in 1999 at Mandango's on Fulton. Mr. Neuhauser also spent time bartending at Outback Steakhouse and Red Lotus. Neuhauser is additionally a certified Cicerone which means he knows a whole lot about beer. For those who are not aware, a Cicerone is similar to a Sommelier, except for beer rather than wine. Mark put his certification to use at Pangaea Two Brews as a Beer Server. Now you can find Mark bringing drinks to life at Tres Hermanas on 24th and K street in Sacramento. As a side note, if you've never tried Tres Hermanas and are a fan of Mexican food, you need to get off your rump and check it out. The following drink recipes are easy to follow and absolutely delicious. Mark describes the process in detail.
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Summertime Buck
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Tito's Vodka
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 3/4 oz Agave Nectar or Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio)
- 6-8 pieces of ripe Watermelon cut into 3/4 inch cubes
- 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Cock and Bull Ginger Beer
Directions:
Muddle watermelon and add the rest of your ingredients. Give it a hard shake in a Boston shaker for 10-15 seconds. Fine strain into glass of your choice (preferably a tall glass) with fresh ice and leave about an inch and a half to top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime twist or lime wheel and a slice of watermelon if you like.
Strawberry Basil Gimlet
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Tito's Vodka
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 3/4 oz Simple Syrup or Agave Nectar
- 2-4 Fresh Basil Leaves
- 2-3 Strawberries hulled and cut into halves
Directions:
Take basil into the palm of your hand and clap your hand to extract the oils and aroma of the leaves (aka spanking herbs). Put the basil into the bottom of the shaker and then add muddled strawberries. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake hard for 10-15 seconds. Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass (such as a "martini glass" or "coupe"). Garnish with a spanked basil leaf. This drink can also be enjoyed over a large cubed ice rock in an old fashioned bucket glass.
Blackberry Fizz
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Tito's Vodka
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 3/4 oz Simple Syrup of Agave Nectar (if your feeling crafty, infuse your syrup with lavender flowers)
- 4-6 Fresh Blackberries
- 1 Egg White
- Soda Water
Directions:
Add vodka, juice, syrup and egg white into Boston shaker and dry shake – vigorously shake ingredients for 15-20 seconds (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT). Then add blackberries and ice, and shake hard for another 10 seconds. Fine strain over fresh ice into a Collins or pint glass and leave room for an inch and a half or so of soda water to top it. Garnish with a lemon twist and a speared blackberry or two.
