Libations for Enhancing Spring Fish Stories

from 802 Spirits May 2023

by Yankee Publishing - New Hampshire Group

Margarita Magic

BY ERNESTO BURDEN

As the May sun warms the green hills, winding rivers and placid ponds of Vermont, the lilacs bloom and the trout begin to rise for warmer weather insect hatches. The chill of morning might still recommend a fleece jcket along with waders as the flyodder works their way along the banks. But as the day stretches on into afternoon, shirtsleeves become the order of the day and wet flies mae way for dry flie to tease those brookies sipping at the caddis and mayflies emeging toward the sky.

Everyone has their own post fishing ritual; bu common ground always includes a story, perhaps over a classic cocktail on the back porch while enjoying the leftover heat of the May afternoon as the sun dips away toward the mountains the river burbles along in the valley, whispering promises of another day, another year, another lifetime of meditative dances with rod, line, tippet, wind, current and trout.

With all that in mind, we’ll suggest a few cocktails that might get the imagination flwing. The stories are yours to tell. >>

Hemingway Daiquiri >

When it comes to fishing and sories (and perhaps fish sories), there may be few authors with a deeper association than Ernest Hemingway. The drink that has evolved as the Hemingway Daiquiri avoids the sometimes-cloying sweetness of a standard daiquiri and makes for a perfect companion for spinning yarns after a day on the stream.

2 ounces light rum

¾ ounce fresh lime juice

½ ounce fresh grapefruit juice

½ ounce maraschino liqueur

Lime wheel for garnish

Combine in a shaker. Add ice. Shake soundly. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with lime.

< Sangrita

If you prefer tequila shots, make a batch of this savory concoction to serve on the side. Combine tomato, grapefruit, orange and lime juices with Tabasco, then add a jalapeño for some spice. Let the mix stand so everything combines, then serve alongside your favorite tequila.

15 ounces tomato juice

6 ounces fresh grapefruit juice

6 ounces fresh orange juice

2 ounces fresh lime juice

2 ounces Tabasco

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 jalapeño, halved (with seeds)

Classic Margarita >

Nothing says spring like a Margarita. The classic combination of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur or agave syrup is what many people prefer to drink. Make it a part of your après-flyfishing ritua

2 ounces blanco tequila

½ ounce orange liqueur

1 ounce fresh lime juice

½ ounce agave syrup

Lime wheel and kosher salt for garnish

Add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ie, and shake until well chilled.

Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel and kosher salt rim.

Mix the tomato juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, Tabasco, black pepper, salt and jalapeño in a pitcher, stirring until the salt dissolves.

Let stand for 15 to 30 minutes, then remove the jalapeño.

Store any remaining Sangrita in the refrigerator.

1½ ounces gin

1 ounce Pimm's No. 1

1 ounce fresh lemon juice

1 ounce simple syrup

Splash of lemon-lime soda

Thin cucumber slices and mint for garnish

Recipe courtesy of www.pocketbarguide.com

At the end of the day, when you reflet upon the one that got away, the sweetness of lemonade combined with the crispness of gin takes the sting out of your defeat. And, it might prompt a few key details that wil make your fish sory even more epic.

Combine lemon juice and simple syrup with 2 ounces water to make lemonade.

Pour lemonade, gin and Pimm's No. 1into a glass with ice and stir. Top off the drink with a splash of lemon-lime soda. Garnish with thinly sliced cucumber and mint.