A lively Collins cocktail is a wish for spring
Can wishing for warm weather make it happen? Will mixing up a bright, lively cocktail make spring arrive more quickly?
The answer is decidedly and unfortunately “no” to both questions, but I would argue that a delicious cocktail might make our dull, gray and fickle Wisconsin elements more bearable.
A fellow writer friend and her husband of 43 years have an adorable tradition. Every Friday night she picks up fresh seafood and some delectable snacks, he comes up with a seasonal cocktail and they kick off their weekend together, connecting, relaxing and just having a good time. This weekly rite has been carried on for the past 20 years, as soon as their children left for college.
The idea of a regular “happy hour” is a lovely notion, whether with alcoholic beverages or without. A simple snack paired with a seasonal sip is the perfect way to wrap up a week and unwind.
You can enjoy this hour of restorative nibbling and imbibing with a loved one, a group of friends or absolutely solitary. The net effect is the same — a deep breath, a release of any stresses and an embrace of what’s to come.
Whether drinking at a craft cocktail bar or mixing something up at home, when considering a cocktail, think about going with a low ABV beverage. ABV stands for “alcohol by volume” and is defined by how much alcohol is contained in a given volume of liquid. This is an easy way to have a drink early and keep the alcohol level down, either because you plan to have a few more or you are just looking for a light drink.
Think of a “session” beer or a cocktail that has a spirit mixed with something that
contains less or no alcohol, such as an Aperol spritz (prosecco, Aperol, soda water) a French 75 (champagne, lemon juice, gin) or an Americano (Campari, vermouth and soda water).
Another basic low-alcohol cocktail that is simple to make at home, and always refreshing, is a Collinsstyle cocktail. At its simplest, a Collins is typically gin, lemon juice and a bit of sugar, topped with carbonated water in a tall glass, over ice.
But it’s easy to riff on a Collins and introduce seasonal flavors and herbs with simple syrup or a little muddling. Here, cucumber, lime and rosemary combine to create a light, flavorful drink that will brighten any Wisconsin “spring.”