Garden Party Cocktails

Name: Garden Party Cocktails
Yield: each recipe makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) gin; 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) peach nectar; 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1/2 a medium lemon); 1 large egg white (1 ounce); 1/2 ounce (a scant tablespoon simple syrup) (see Tip, page 191); Crushed ice; 6 blackberries, thawed if frozen; 3 fresh cilantro leaves, stemmed; 1/2 ounce (a scant tablespoon) simple syrup; 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) blanco tequila (100 percent de agave); 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Pimm’s No. 1 Cup; 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 1/2 lime); Crushed ice

December 14, 2011

While most of my friends are foodies, David Alan’s central focus is liquid refreshment. A coffee distributor by trade, he devotes most of his free time to the art of the cocktail. He writes a witty, drink-packed blog called Tipsy Texan. I asked him to create a couple of drinks for my backyard garden party. Both are beautiful to look at and delicious enough to be dangerous. The drinks are tastiest made one at a time and enjoyed immediately. If you are throwing a party with a spouse or partner, suggest they help by manning (or woman-ing) your “bar”—any small to medium table will do—for the first 30 to 45 minutes of the party. The bar action provides a focal point for incoming guests, and it’s a great icebreaker. Have all the ingredients and drink-mixing paraphernalia assembled in advance and set them out on your bar just before guests arrive. A large ice bucket, or even two, filled with crushed ice is a must.

Recipe notes

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Rosemary and Dried Cherry Pork Chops

Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for pork chops.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)

Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.

Gochujang Turkey Sweet Potatoes

Fully loaded, meal-prep friendly, and ready to be dressed up, down, or sideways.