I am SO ready for summer to be over and to slip into the fall weather. I keep hearing we’re about a week or two away from cooler weather, or so the weather reports have been saying, and I cannot wait. Until then, summer-type cocktails are in order. This muscadine smash cocktail is the best late summer drink. Tons of crushed ice and fresh lime juice lean toward the summer-end of things, while the muscadines are prevalent here in the south during early fall.
I found these muscadines in Whole Foods from a local, organic farmer. Muscadines are much larger than regular grapes and I would describe their flavor as earthier and slightly more tart. They have tough skin so you can either leave them on (like I did here) or remove them and just eat the pulp. While I’ve been eating them I generally just eat the pulp (they are addicting!), but you can definitely just leave the skins on in this cocktail since you’re muddling the grapes to release all of their flavor. They are prevalent in the south this time of year, but if you can’t find them, red grapes will work just fine – I’d probably just up the lime juice to get more of that sour flavor.
Ingredients
- 4-5 muscadines
- 1/2-1 lime, juiced
- 1 tsp sugar, optional
- 1 1/2 oz whiskey
- Soda water, to top
Instructions
- In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle the muscadines and lime juice well to release the flavor of the muscadines. Add in the sugar (if using) and whiskey and fill with ice. Shake well. Strain into a tall glass, filled with crushed ice. Top with soda water and the smashed muscadines. Serve immediately.
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You always use the most interesting ingredients! I seriously think you missed your calling as a “mixologist” 🙂
Haha I wish!! Thanks!!