3 Refreshing Spins on Classics for July 4th
by David Klemt
Our friends over at Rémy Cointreau want to help you celebrate the 4th of July with your guests, so they sent over these three enticing cocktail recipes.
Back in January of this year they sent us cocktails dedicated to the 2024 Pantone Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz. And about four months ago, Rémy Cointreau shared National Cocktail Day recipes with us. In turn, we shared them with you.
More importantly, two of these builds are reinterpretations and refreshes of well-known classics. Below, you’ll find a reinvention of a Whiskey Sour and a Mojito.
There’s also a frozen Margarita, a perfect refresher for hot summer days and nights. Although, one can argue that this is a spin on the original, figuratively and literally since it’s going into a blender.
Of these three drinks, the METAXA Sour is the one I’m most eager to try. Most people are likely familiar with Cointreau and Rémy Martin Cognac.
However, they’re probably less acquainted with METAXA. Guests who appreciate a fine Cognac or complex whiskey or rum will likely enjoy METAXA 12 Stars. This brandy is the marriage of sweet Muscat wine from the Greek island Samos, fine wine distillates aged for up to 12 years, and Mediterranean botanicals.
Before being bottled, METAXA 12 Stars is aged in heavily toasted oak barrels for at least 12 months. Along with spice, expect dried citrus fruit, toffee, coffee, and chocolate on the nose and palate.
Personally, I recommend experimenting with METAXA 12 Stars (and its peer 7 Stars) in your brandy, bourbon, rye, and rum cocktails.
Cheers!
METAXA Sour
- 1.7 oz. METAXA 12 Stars
- 0.7 oz. Fresh lemon juice
- 0.3 oz. Sugar syrup
- 0.7 oz. Egg white, or 1 Tbsp. Meringue
- Orange zest to garnish
The METAXA Sour is a spicy, citrusy, and bright take on the traditional sour. First, prepare a rocks by adding a large sphere or cube of ice. Next, simply add all of the ingredients (minus the garnish, of course) to a shaker filled with ice. Shake well, then strain, and dry shake to emulsify. Note: Some bartenders prefer dry shaking first, then adding ice, and then shaking again. Finally, pour into the prepared rocks glass, garnish, and serve.
Frozen Berry Margarita
- 1 oz. Cointreau
- 2 oz. Blanco tequila
- 0.75 oz. Fresh lime juice
- 0.5 cup Frozen berries
- 0.25 oz. Simple syrup
- 5 Ice cubes
- Speared lime wheel and berries to garnish
Break out the blender. Oh, and try to sell more than one at a time to be more efficient.
This recipe is easy: add all of the ingredients except the garnish to a blender. I bet you know what’s next—blend everything together. Pour into a Margarita glass, garnish, and serve.
The Rémy Mojito
- 1.5 oz. Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal
- 1 oz. Fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz. Simple syrup
- 1 0z. Sparkling water
- Handful of mint leaves to muddle
- Mint sprig to garnish
This recipe is a bit of a departure from the traditional Mojito your guests know and love. Therefore, it’s a new way to re-engage with a classic and have a new experience.
Start by adding pebble ice, Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, lime juice, simple syrup, and a handful of mint leaves to a shaker. Per the recipe, using pebble ice should prevent the mint leaves from being broken and torn apart. Shake well, pour into a Collins glass, and top with the sparkling water. Garnish with mint sprig, and serve.
Disclaimer: Neither the author nor KRG Hospitality received compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this post.
Images courtesy of LaFORCE on behalf of Rémy Cointreau
