Blood Orange And Basil Ranch Water Recipes

CARDAMOM BLOOD ORANGE MOJITOS WITH SWEET BASIL CAVIAR

Steps:

• For the infused vodka: Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Throw in the cardamom and toast until slightly golden and fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat. Add the cardamom to the vodka along with the orange zest and vanilla bean. Stir to combine, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• For the basil caviar: Combine 1 cup water and the raw sugar in a small pot over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When it starts to simmer, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the basil. Pour the mixture into a blender and puree until smooth (be careful when blending hot liquids). Strain into a bowl and add the sodium alginate. Whisk for 1 minute, until thick. Whisk the bottled water and calcium lactate in a bowl. Suck the basil syrup into a syringe and squeeze small balls into the calcium bath. Let them soak for no more than 1 minute. Scoop out the basil caviar using a slotted spoon and rinse in a bowl of fresh water.
• For the mojitos: For each drink, muddle slices from 1 orange, 3 to 4 basil leaves and 1 tablespoon maple syrup in a glass. Throw in some ice cubes, 1 shot infused vodka, 1/2 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup sparkling water and top with 1 tablespoon basil caviar.
• Photo reprinted with permission from Nadia G.'s Bitchin' Kitchen: Cookin' For Trouble by Nadia G., copyright (c) 2011. Published by Ballantine Books.

RANCH WATER

Steps:

• Fill a glass half full with crushed ice. Top with the tequila and lime juice, then the sparkling water. Garnish the glass with a lime wedge and serve.

BLOOD ORANGE & BASIL WINE SPRITZER

Steps:

• Add the blood orange segments, basil and sugar to the bottom of a glass. Using the bottom of a wooden spoon, smash the orange, basil and sugar together; this will help release the flavor of the basil. Add the sparkling wine, then the blood orange soda and stir to combine. Top up with ice. Garnish with a blood orange wheel and enjoy.

RANCH WATER

Steps:

• Stir together 1 tsp. kosher salt, ¾ tsp. coarsely chopped or crumbled mixed dried herbs and flowers, and ¼ tsp. aleppo-style pepper in a small bowl, then pour onto a small plate.
• Slice 1 orange wheel in half; rub the rim of a Collins glass with one half to moisten. Flip glass on its side and roll top through the herbed salt, then add both orange wheel halves to glass.
• Muddle orange wheel halves at bottom of prepared glass. Add 1 oz. blanco tequila, 1 oz. sotol or mezcal, and ¾ oz. lime juice. Fill glass with ice, then fill with 4 oz. sparkling mineral water, chilled. Stir gently.