Drinks to enjoy outdoors during the summer

Carrot Ginger-tini

mccormick.com

Fresh carrot juice and ginger lend vibrant color and warm flavor to this innovative orange- flavored vodka martini recipe. Drink to your wellness with a touch of ginger for the perfect martini.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients: 7

Servings: 1

Ginger Simple Syrup

1 tablespoon McCormick Ginger, Ground

1 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

Carrot Ginger-tini

1 ounce carrot juice

1 ounce vodka

1/2 ounce Ginger Simple Syrup

1/2 ounce orange-flavored liqueur, such as Triple Sec

For the Ginger Simple Syrup, place ginger in center of a piece of cheesecloth. Tie tightly with long piece of string. Place ginger sachet, water and sugar in small saucepan on medium heat. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3 minutes, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Refrigerate overnight to blend flavor. Remove sachet. Store spiced syrup, covered, in the refrigerator. (Makes 8 ounces)

For the Carrot Ginger-tini, fill cocktail shaker two-thirds full with ice. Add carrot juice, vodka, Ginger Simple Syrup and orange-flavored liqueur; shake until well mixed and chilled. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with shaved carrot, if desired. Serve immediately.

Black Pepper Berry Shrub Cocktail

Cool it. With a refreshing shrub cocktail. (A what?) A shrub: Fruit-and-vinegar syrups added to boozy-based drinks or soda. The taste is complex but the prep is easy. Get pouring.

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 5

Servings: 1

6 pickled berries, from DIY Black Pepper Berry Vinegar

2 teaspoons DIY Black Pepper Berry Vinegar,

1 teaspoon sugar

11/2 ounces vodka

1/2 cup seltzer water

Muddle the pickled berries, Black Pepper Berry Vinegar and sugar in beverage glass with a muddler or wooden spoon to crush the berries. Add vodka and seltzer water; stir gently.