Straight from the Farm

A Vanilla Rose

June 30, 2008 at 4:29 pm Jennie 6 comments

I bet you and your friends have a few summertime traditions.  Maybe an annual girls or guys day at the beach?  An annual 4th of July BBQ?  Maybe even a camping trip?  A group of my friends, who have long scattered across several state lines and life stages (singles, newly weds, divorcees, and new parents are all among them), come together once a year on a Saturday in June to sit under the same tree in a big back yard, drink a lot of beer, play horseshoes and pretend for a little while that we’re still carefree and 20. 

Quite frankly though, I’ve outgrown what little taste I had for a keg of lager beer.   So, this year I decided I’d try a taking along the ingredients for a cocktail.  While I do like some traditions, I’m always on the hunt for a brand spankin’ new culinary concoction, drinks recipes being no exception.   Plus, like any reunion attendee who’s honest with him or herself, I wanted to bring something funky and interesting to boost my “cool” factor.

Spurred by my success with the Lavender Lemon Soda recipe, I thought I’d try another simple syrup infused with a fresh herb that would add a little somethin’-somethin’ to my cocktail.  The rosemary plants in my garden called out to me immediately.  But I really didn’t know what to put with the flavor of rosemary in a sweet context (which brings up a question: have any of you ever had a “savory” cocktail, besides a Bloody Mary?  I couldn’t think of any).  I remembered the Lemon Rosemary cake from last autumn, but took a sharp right turn from that formula when I noticed the long-neglected bottle of vanilla vodka that I’d been using to prop up some cookbooks. 

Fresh rosemary and a vanilla bean steeped in a warm simple syrup would make a heavenly perfume, save for the sticky factor.   The resulting cocktail was heavenly too.  But I think the next batch I make will skip the vodka and become a lemonade of a most complex and captivating flavor. 

Cheers!

Vanilla Rosemary Spritzer
A Straight from the Farm Original

1 large bunch of fresh rosemary (5-6 stems)
1 vanilla bean
3/4 C. sugar or sugar substitute
1 C. water
Vanilla vodka
Club soda
Crushed ice

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the rosemary (reserve a few of the tops of the stem for garnish), vanilla bean, sugar and water.  Bring to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes.  Remove from heat and let cool for at least an hour.  Strain the syrup into a jar or other container and chill until ready to use. 

To make the cocktail, combine 2 parts syrup with 1 part vodka over ice and fill the glass with club soda.   Adjust ratio according to taste.  Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and serve.

(makes enough syrup for 6-8 drinks)

Entry filed under: Beverages, Recipes. Tags: cocktail, drink, food, recipe, rosemary.