Recipes: Sunset Cocktails

the appetizer:

Hang out on the beach in style with The Summertime Anytime Cookbook by Dana Slatkin, featuring Beach Bar Essentials; Sunset Cocktails; White Asparagus Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette; and Pappardelle with Wild Mushrooms, Rosemary, and Light Tomato Sauce.

Cookbook Profile

Sunset Cocktails

Greet your guests with something deliciously icy and let the good vibrations flow! Here are the top six most popular cocktails at Shutters (and now at my house). I've given you the measurements traditionally in ounces but also in cups and tablespoons in case you do not have a jigger handy. Also see Beach Bar Essentials.

Pomegranate Martini

Serves one

Pomegranate syrup and rose water are available at Middle Eastern markets and specialty gourmet stores (see Source Guide). You can substitute pomegranate juice, which is just as refreshing but less concentrated (for this recipe, use about 1/2 cup).

2 ounces (1/4 cup) Absolut Citron vodka or other lemon-flavored vodka
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) pomegranate syrup
Ice
Dash of rose water, optional
Twist of lemon, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, shake the vodka, lemon juice, and pomegranate syrup vigorously with ice, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Add a dash of rose water, if desired. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Mai Tai

Serves one

2 ounces (1/4 cup) dark rum
2 ounces (1/4 cup) fresh orange juice
2 ounces (1/4 cup) pineapple juice
Ice
Dash of grenadine syrup
Orange wedge, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, shake the rum and juices with ice, then strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a dash of grenadine syrup and a wedge of orange.

On The Boardwalk Margarita

Serves one

Lime wedge
Coarse salt
2 ounces (1/4 cup) tequila
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Grand Marnier or Cointreau
2 ounces (1/4 cup) fresh lemonade
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh orange juice

Rub the edge of a cocktail glass with the lime wedge, then dip the glass into a saucer filled with coarse salt. In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the tequila, Grand Marnier, lemonade, and orange juice. Shake well and strain into the salted cocktail glass. Garnish with the lime wedge.

A Day at the Beach

Serves one

Ice
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) coconut rum
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Amaretto liqueur
4 ounces (1/2 cup) fresh orange juice
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) grenadine
1 strawberry, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake the rum, Amaretto, and orange juice. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Add the grenadine and garnish with a strawberry.

Sex On the Beach

Serves one

Ice
1-1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) vodka
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) peach schnapps
1/4 ounce (1/2 tablespoon) Chambord
2 ounces (1/4 cup) cranberry juice
2 ounces (1/4 cup) pineapple juice
Pineapple or orange slice, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake the vodka, schnapps, Chambord, and juices well; strain into a chilled highball glass. Garnish with a pineapple or orange slice.

Shutters Sky-Blue

Serves one

Ice
2-1/2 ounces (1/3 cup) Absolut Mandarin or other citrus-flavored vodka
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lemonade
1/4 ounce (1/2 tablespoon) Blue Curaçao
Splash of Sprite
Lemon or orange slice, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake the vodka, lemonade, Curaçao, and Sprite well; strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of lemon or orange.