Summer Smash

This cocktail is summer in a glass. You add your favorite booze (this version uses vodka but it's great with many others) to prepared Stone Fruit Shrub and allow it to marinate overnight. The next day spoon a few pieces of fruit into a glass and add a couple ounces of the infused spirit, then top with seltzer and add fresh mint. I usually serve it with a straw spoon so it's easier to eat the fruit.

Author

Christian Leue

Servings

Makes 4 drinks

Category

Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 cup of stone fruit shrub
• 1 cup of vodka*
• Sugar, to taste
• Aleppo pepper, optional
• Seltzer
• Fresh mint

Directions

1. Scoop 1 cup of fruit from your Stone Fruit Shrub into a clean jar. Add as much or as little liquid as you like from the shrub (I usually add an ounce or two), and the vodka. Mix well and taste and adjust for sweetness (it will taste strong, remember you will dilute it later with seltzer). If you want to being out more of the sweet flavor without adding any sugar, try a pinch or two of Aleppo pepper.
2. Allow to sit in the fridge overnight to marinate.
3. Divide the fruit and liquid between 4 tumbler or collins glasses, add a handful of ice to each, then fill with seltzer and give them a gentle stir. Garnish with a fresh spearmint sprig.
4. I like serving this drink with a straw-spoon to make it easier to eat the fruit.