The Liquid Muse

Earth Day in Boston

"Sustainable Sips" Take On More Meaning

I am so happy to be teaching The Liquid Muse "Sustainable Sips" cocktail class on Earth Day! If saving the planet and eating for a healthy body aren't enough incentive to "go green," how about a delicious cocktail?

Last night, I kicked off the first of a week-long run in Bean Town - and we had a blast!

Yes, Lance Armstrong ran the Boston Marathon, yesterday. Yes, the Red Sox won (again). But, I seriously challenge other fun-lovers to have had as much fun as we did down at the Method Home store, down on Newbury Street.

Members of the environmental awareness group called Conscious Consuming attended the class, and learned to reduce their "carbon footprint" while sipping a luscious libation. Conscious Consuming focuses on "increasing awareness of the impact of buying decisions on our health, happiness and environment," which can by all means be brought into the glass. Some students jumped behind the bar to try their hand at whipping up - and even creating - their own drinks!

I've invited some wonderful organic and / or sustainably-minded liquor companies to sponsor my series of classes over the coming months (in Boston, NYC and Minneapolis), and I've designed some yummy drinks with those products. Each of the cocktails is inspired by Method Home, which uses appetizing essences such as cucumber, mint, ginger, lavender and berries to make your home smell like a big, organic field of fruits and flowers!

Below, I'm sharing my recipes so you can whip up a little eco-buzz for your Earth Day party!

(All recipes are intellectual property of The Liquid Muse, LLC and may not be reprinted online or in print without permission from Natalie Bovis-Nelsen.)

Method Margarita Martini

1 1/2 ounces 4 Copas organic tequila
1 ounce lime juice
11/2 ounces grapefruit juice
1 slice jalapeno
1 tsp 4 Copas agave nectar
course sea salt

Rim a martini glass with course sea salt. Muddle jalapeno, lime juice and agave nectar in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add grapefruit juice and tequila. Shake well and gently strain into glass.
*****

Detox America Cocktail

1 1/2 ounces Bluecoat gin
1 ounce Veev acai liqueur
2 ounces organic pomegranate juice
1/2 ounce lime juice
1 teaspoon sugar (or 1/2 ounce simple syrup)
pinch freshly grated ginger

Pour all ingredients, except ginger, into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass. Grate fresh ginger over the top of the cocktail.
*****

Method Mojito

1 heaping tablespoon organic cucumber
1 heaping tablespoon of diced organic lime
1 heaping teaspoon raw brown sugar
2-3 torn mint leaves
1 1/2 ounces Purus organic vodka
Organic Italian sparkling lemonade

Muddle cucumber, sugar and mint leaves in tall glass. Pour in vodka. Top with sparkling lemonade. Garnish with a sprig of mint or lime wheel.
*****

“Green” and White Summer Sangria

Organic strawberries, peaches, kiwis
Purus organic vodka
Veev acai liqueur
Lavender honey
Organic peach juice
Bonterra organic chardonnay

Finely chop fruit into a bowl or Tupperware container. Drizzle with honey then add a half-inch of each peach juice and vodka. Let marinate several hours. When ready to serve, spoon one tablespoon of fruit mixture into each glass, and top with Bonterra. Garnish with strawberry on the rim of the glass.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!