Hot, hot heat. That’s what August seems to be all about for many right now. Heavy air teams up with burning sunshine to make it completely and utterly uncomfortable to set foot outside. It’s as if someone turned up the thermostat as high as possible and then covered everything in a big blanket. When the weather reaches this point, we have two options: 1) sit inside with our feet in a bowl of ice water and the AC cranked, or 2) put ourselves in close proximity to a body of water. Today, my family went with option 2. We spend the afternoon on Bald Eagle Lake where we enjoyed swimming and cool drinks to fend off the heat. No matter which option you chose, a cold beverage helps pass the time and cool the temperature. Temporarily anyway.

If you are in the same boat as we are here in Minnesota (I know; Minnesota + heat in the same sentence is a little strange) then you need to try this Sparkling Blood Orange Margarita. As much as I love a good traditional margarita (on the rocks, please!) they can occasionally be overly sweet and syrupy. This bubbly margarita is made with blood orange French soda, which gives it an effervescence that is welcome during these seemingly intolerable days. The sweetness is subtle but enough to stand up to the salted rim of the glass.

Speaking of the glass, I found these beautiful vintage glasses at an antique store the other day and I am in love. They are delicate, unique and a perfect new prop for Cocktail Fridays!

Cheers to the dog days of summer and  the last Cocktail Friday post before I head back to Tokyo next week.

Sparkling Blood Orange Margarita

Makes 1 drink

2 oz. tequila

4-6 oz. Blood Orange French Soda

1 tablespoon lime juice

ice

Margarita salt

Lime wedges

Before putting any liquid in the glass, use a lime wedge to wet the edge of the glass. Dip the rim of the glass in the margarita salt. Put the tequila in the glass, followed by the lime juice. Next, add the ice cubes gently (if you aren’t careful, a lot of the salt will fall of the rim of the glass). Finally, top the glass off with the blood orange soda and garnish the glass with a lime wedge.

Yes, I know it is not Friday. But I wrote this post last Friday while out of town and of course forgot my cord to upload the photos. Since I’ll be out of town again this coming Friday, I thought I’d give this post to you a little early. Isn’t everyday a little like Friday during the summer anyway?

Alright, with that said, let’s carry on…

I love going to Farmer’s Markets in the summer. Wandering from table to table looking at the bounty that summer gardens provide is something that makes me feel all Zen inside. Zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet onions and many more vegetables and fruits are not only intensely more tasty and fresh during these warm weeks, they are also easier to use in simpler forms, showcasing the flavors that are often lacking out of season. Light pickling and quick grilling can bring out the best in Farmer’s Market finds without taking away from that just-picked taste. Who could say no to multi-colored carrots, beautiful tomatoes, fragrant Thai basil and crazy purple kohlrabi?

Just last weekend, I was meandering around the St. Paul Farmer’s Market with my mom when my attention was turned to a table filled with bright red currants. I was struck by the somewhat romantic way the bunches spilled over the containers in splashes of ruby red. The bunches of tiny berries cascading like grapes on the vine are a gorgeous addition to pancakes, salads, or even as an ice-cream topping. While those ideas are all well-and-good, I’m going to share a recipe for a simple and beautiful cocktail: the Currant Cosmo.

The method here is very simple and can be done with berries other than currants. Raspberries, strawberries, cherries and blueberries would all make a delicious cocktail. Simply take about a cup of fresh berries and place them in a fine strainer. Then, use an ice cream scooper to mash the juice from the berries into a bowl. The strainer will keep any seeds or skin bits from making it into the juice. The result is a colorful, fresh flavored juice that is absolutely perfect for using in cocktails this summer. The color of the cocktail pictures is is au natural from the currants. Draping a bunch of currants on the edge of the cocktail glass makes an elegant and whimsical garnish.

So far this summer, currants are my favorite Farmer’s Market find. What are some of your favorite finds? I’d love to hear what seasonal delicacies you all have found!

Currant Cosmo

Makes 1 cocktail

2 oz. currant juice (or other berry juice)

2 oz. vodka or gin

1 oz. dry vermouth or Grand Marnier

Lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until your can’t stand the icy cold (but don’t hurt your hands!) and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with extra berries and/or a lime wedge.