Ask A Los Angeles Expert: Best Summertime Vodka Cocktails
(credit: istockphoto)
Summertime is the perfect time for sun and fun. Make it even better with some terrific summertime vodka cocktails that will help refresh you with all that sun.
(credit: Ciara Joye)
Ciara Joye
BLVD 16, Hotel Palomar Los Angeles-Westwood
10740 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 475-8711
www.hotelpalomar-lawestwood.com
Ciara Joye rules at the always satisfying BLVD 16 inside Kimpton's edgy Hotel Palomar Los Angeles-Westwood, a drinking enclave like no other. This leading lady of the bartender set has done a lot to earn the top spot at her current outpost. The daughter of a chemist and a botanist, Joye started out as an intern at Old New Orleans Rum Distillery, learned to be a bona fide bartender on The Big Easy's notorious Bourbon Street and worked at high-profile hotel bars in Aspen and Snowmass after attending Tulane University to earn her Bachelor's degree in French and economics.
Indeed, that activity that was once extra curricular has turned into a full-time career, one in which this talented barkeep keeps fresh with each new concoction she conjures up at BLVD 16.
For this particular bounty based in vodka, Ciara states that this particular type of liquor "has little to no flavor, making it very versatile and open to interpretation. I recommend using local products found at your local farmers' market in addiction to supporting California distilleries such as SquareOne, Tru, St. George or Hangar One."
This particular mixologist also talks about her own creations below, saying, "The cocktails I designed feature bold peak-summer produce (raspberry, peach, celery) and fresh seasonal herbs (basil, lavender, fennel) to keep the flavor profile interesting and playful, just like summer. Bright, natural sweetness, with a crisp dry finish.
That said, the following are five of Ciara Joye's best summertime vodka cocktails, all equipped with some pretty kicky names to show the power of these particular party drinks.
(credit: Ciara Joye)
Ace in the Hole
- 1.5 oz Chamomile-infused vodka (6 bags in bottle for 3 hours),
- 1 oz White Vermouth (Vya Extra Dry for example)
- 1 bar spoon (about 5 dashes) Fee Brothers rosewater
- 1/2 oz simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water) *optional
Hard shake with ice, strain into Coupe Glass. Garnish with large orange zest.
Related: 10 Best Bars In Venice
(credit: Ciara Joye)
Celery Fizz
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 3/4 oz Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur (or 1/2 oz fresh juiced ginger)
- 1.5 oz fresh juiced celery (delicious!)
- 4 dashes Barkeep fennel bitters
- 3/4 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1 eggwhite
Hard shake without ice for 45 seconds, add ice, another hard shake. Strain and serve in highball glass with no ice (this is a take on the classic Ramos Gin Fizz), should be really foamy and reach top of glass. Garnish with lime wheel.
(credit: Ciara Joye)
SideShow
- 2 oz vodka
- 1/4 oz St. George Raspberry Liqueur
- 5 dashes Barkeep lavender bitters
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple (optional)
Shake and strain, serve up (no ice) in Coupe glass. Garnish with slapped basil leaf.
(credit: Ciara Joye)
Gallnipper
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 1 oz Fruitlab Hibiscus Liqueur
- 1/2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
- FeverTree Mediterranean Tonic Water
Serve over ice. Garnish with cucumber and mint.
(credit: Ciara Joye)
Buckaroo
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz fresh peach puree (or Kern's Peach Nectar)
- 1 oz honey syrup (equal parts honey and water)
- dash Absinthe (St. George Spirits makes one)
Shake, serve over ice, garnish with rosemary.
