“Appeeling” citrus cocktail ideas to celebrate National Vodka Day
By Becky Ellis
Citrus and vodka are a match made in cocktail heaven and perfect for celebrating National Vodka Day – October 4, 2021. These citrus cocktail ideas are especially “appeeling” to those of us who like a little tart in our cocktails.
Adding a lemon or lime peel as a garnish to a cocktail is fairly common. Up your cocktail game by rubbing the peel around the rim of the glass and then down the stem of the glass. The citrus aroma will get on your fingers as you drink and will enhance the aroma as you hold the glass and sip. Or you can always set your citrus garnish on fire. Saveur.com has detailed instructions on how to flame your citrus peels to use in cocktails. Impress your guests with flaming garnishes!
Now back to the drinks…Let’s start with “cello” liqueurs. Many of us are familiar with the Italian liqueur limencello. Did you know it’s made by steeping lemon peels in vodka with sugar? Orangecello is made with orange peels and Arancello is made with Sicilian blood orange peels. Lesser known but equally delicious are these “cello” liqueurs: “Cello” liqueurs also include Mirinello (wild cherry), pistachiocello (pistachio), Liquore all fragola (strawberry) and basilcello (basil).
It’s easy to make your own limoncello at home. Giada de Laurentiis has a fabulous limoncello recipe on the Food Network website including a fun “how to” video.
Have you ever thought of mixing vodka and grapefruit juice? The Greyhound Cocktail does just that and is it ever refreshing! A simple cocktail made with fresh grapefruit juice and vodka shaken with ice. According to liquour.com, this cocktail made its first appearance in Harry Craddock’s “Savoy Cocktail Book” published in 1930. Craddock made the Greyhound with gin. After World War II when vodka became popular, the Greyhound was made more commonly with vodka. Years ago, the Greyhound Bus Stations had restaurants by the name of “Post House” and they served this grapefruit vodka cocktail. Thus it was given the name “Greyhound”.
Have you heard of Oleo saccharum? It sounds like margarine, but NO! It is a syrup that is made very simply with citrus peels and sugar. The Moody Pantry website explains how to make it by tossing together lemon, lime, grapefruit or mandarin orange peels with sugar. Muddle the peels with the sugar, cover and allow to sit for one hour or longer. The sugar draws the oils from the citrus peels, creating a glossy simple syrup in the bottom of the bowl. Try replacing simple syrup in your favorite Lemon Drop Martini with Oleo saccharum made with lemon peels. It will make the lemon flavor in your lemon drop POP!
What’s your favorite citrus cocktail to mix up on National Vodka Day?