Drink of the Week #6: Minty French

I love all things French, their wine, their food, their architecture...

In honor of Bastille Day, July 14th, the beginning of the French Revolution, I wanted to create a French inspired cocktail.  I automatically went straight for the St. Germain, a french elderflower liqueur.  St. Germain is used in many drinks, and becoming more prevalent in cocktail bars, to add a touch of sweetness.  

A simple cocktail, with minimal ingredients, sounded perfectly French to me. A bit of fresh mint from the garden, muddled with the St. Germain, and shaken with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and vodka?  Yeah, that sounds Frenchy.  

The tang of the grapefruit was cut by the sweetness of the St Germain, while the mint gave a note of freshness.  I topped the cocktail with a splash of soda water to give it some nice effervescence and create an even more refreshing cocktail.  I think the French would be proud of this one.

Minty French

• 2 oz fresh squeezed Grapefruit Juice
• 1/2 oz St. Germain 
• 1 1/2oz Vodka
• 2 sprigs of fresh Mint
• Soda Water 

1. Muddle a sprig of mint with the St. Germain.
2. Add the grapefruit juice and vodka.  
3. Shake.
4. Strain into an ice-filled glass.
5. Add soda water to your liking.
6. Garnish with mint.

Cheers to France!