In the South cool weather in early fall is not all that common. We get a taste of the cooler season in bits and pieces before summer finally decides to make its exit.
Indian Summer. We most commonly think of it as a warm period in early fall. One where we’ve had a short spell of cool weather then summer seems to return for one last fling. Some beverages translate through the seasons, but some seem to define a time of the year.
There are a number of cocktails that share the same name but I love this version for the simplicity of ingredients delivering a bouquet of soft, glorious notes.
The Indian Summer cocktail takes a great gin and combines it with St~Germain, a lovely French liqueur made from fresh elderflowers. A touch of simple syrup is added followed by a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Then everything is poured on top of crushed, sweet red grapes.
It’s a lovely and refreshing cocktail for those warmer fall days!
The Indian Summer. A Fall Cocktail.
9 tablespoons (4-½ ounces) good Gin, such as Plymouth
3 tablespoons (1-½ ounces) St~Germain liqueur
3 tablespoons (1-½ ounces) simple syrup*
3 tablespoons (1-½ ounces) freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 1 lemon
12 fresh red seedless grapes, plus extra for garnish
Toss the grapes into a cocktail shaker. Using a muddler, crush the grapes to release their juice.
Pour in the gin, the St~Germain liqueur , simple syrup, and lemon juice.
Add about a cup of ice and shake until the cocktail is well chilled.
Strain into coupes or martini glasses and serve with a few grapes on a cocktail pick.
Makes 2 drinks.
*To make a batch of simple syrup:
Combine 1 cup of water with 2 cups of sugar in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, stirring occasionally.
Keep the simple syrup refrigerated.
The Indian Summer. A Fall Cocktail
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
- 2 coupes or martini glasses
Ingredients
- 9 tablespoons good gin, such as Plymouth (4-½ ounces)
- 3 tablespoons St~Germain liqueur (1-½ ounces)
- 3 tablespoons simple syrup* (1-½ ounces) *See notes.
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 1 lemon (1-½ ounces)
- 12 red seedless grapes, plus extra for garnish
Instructions
- Toss the grapes into a cocktail shaker. Using a muddler, crush the grapes to release their juice.
- Pour in the gin, the St-Germain liqueur, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Add about a cup of ice and shake until the cocktail is well chilled.
- Strain into coupes or martini glasses and serve with a few grapes on a cocktail pick.
