Wouldn't you love to enjoy a cool, refreshing cocktail on the beach, by the pool, in your favorite Santa Barbara meeting place (or wherever you may be)? Here are some tasty cocktails that include some of our fresh fruit and herbs with a delicious Santa Barbara vibe!
Santa Barbara Sunset and Santa Barbara Sunrise
First, make the pureed base:
- 1 cup of Kerns Guava Nectar
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, stems removed
- 1 cup fresh pineapple
- 1 lime, juiced
- pinch of sea salt
- 4 to 5 sprigs of fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup (optional)
- In a large blender, add all ingredients except for the simple syrup.
If the strawberries and pineapple are ripe, then they should be sweet enough on their own. If you would like the drinks to be sweeter, add a small amount of simple sugar (equal parts sugar and water boiled and then cooled). Taste the puree and adjust to your taste. If you prefer more pineapple and strawberry, add more pieces of fruit and blend again. Blend until smooth. Strain puree into a bowl or a large measuring cup. Depending on the amount of pulp in the mixture, you may need to clean the strainer a couple of times during this process. The puree is ready to serve. This makes a little over two cups of strained puree.
Santa Barbara Sunset
For the Santa Barbara Sunset, fill a tumbler with ice. Pour one to two ounces of light rum into the glass. Pour three ounces of the puree. Top the tumbler off with sparkling water. Mix with a spoon and enjoy paradise!
Santa Barbara Sunrise
Mimosas be gone! This will take your Sunday morning treat to new heights. Fill a champagne flute a quarter full with the puree. Top it off with a nice Prosecco or your favorite champagne or sparkling wine. Here are a few tasty, but inexpensive options: Cupcake Prosecco ($10), Domaine Chandon Brut ($15), or Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut (Spanish Cava, $10).
Here's Another great Santa Barbara Cocktail!
The American Riviera
- 1.5 oz. Bombay London Dry Gin
- Juice from one Meyer Lemon
- 15 tsp. Lavender Sugar
- 1.5 tsp. hot water
- Sparkling Wine (preferably from Santa Barbara)
Dissolve Lavender Sugar in water. Set Aside. Cut Lemon into quarters. Use one to moisten the rim of the glass. Pour remainder of the sugar into a saucer and dip the rim of the glass to coat. Fill glass with ice and other ingredients. Stir and top with sparkling wine.
Now, settle back in a comfortable lounge chair on the beach, take a sip and enjoy one of our magnificent sunsets!
