Frozen Garden Cocktails

Welcome! You’re At Isabelle’s—home to all things tasteful and tasty.

When it comes to cocktails, I am always about keeping it easy and using whatever I have on hand. I rarely follow recipes, and I loathe going to the store to buy a full bottle of something I only need an ounce of, only for it to sit in my cupboard for years.

Hence why I love a framework. Take advantage of whatever you have on hand and play around to create the flavour pairing of your dreams.

With summer finally here, it only felt fitting to partner with Vitamix to share my formula for frozen cocktails. If you blend your favourite fruit, spirit, citrus, and infused sweetener, you are already on track for a delicious drink, but one of the biggest factors is texture. That is where my Vitamix Ascent X5 comes in. Texture can make or break a frozen cocktail, and while many blenders struggle to power through frozen fruit, the Vitamix creates an incredibly smooth, slushy consistency every time, with no icy chunks getting in the way of the perfect sip.

It is also one of the reasons I use it for so much more than cocktails. Whether I am making homemade nut butters, creamy dips for hosting, or silky soups, the power and consistency make a noticeable difference. It is one of those kitchen tools that earns its keep year-round, but especially in the summer when that frozen drink craving hits!

Keep in mind that different fruits will bring varying levels of sweetness, acidity, and texture, especially depending on how ripe they were when frozen. Use this formula as your guide, then taste and adjust as you go. A little more citrus can brighten things up, while an extra touch of sweetener can create balance. Consider it an invitation to play around and create your ideal frozen cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup water

• Your garden accent of choice: mint, basil, ginger, chili, lemongrass, or another favourite herb or aromatic

Directions:

1. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.

   1. For delicate herbs like mint or basil, remove the syrup from the heat before adding the herbs. Let steep for at least 20 minutes, or ideally overnight in the refrigerator for a more pronounced flavour.

   2. For sturdier ingredients like fresh ginger, chili, or lemongrass, add them while the syrup is heating and let them gently simmer as the sugar dissolves. For a stronger flavour, let steep for at least 20 minutes, or ideally overnight in the refrigerator.

2. Strain the syrup and discard the solids before using.

Makes 2

Ingredients:

• 3 cups frozen fruit, such as peaches, pineapple, melon, or strawberries

• 2 oz freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice

• 1-2 oz infused simple syrup, such as mint, basil, ginger, chili, or lemongrass

• 3 oz spirit, such as gin, tequila, or vodka

• Chilled soda water or Prosecco, to top

Directions:

1. Place your cocktail glasses in the freezer.

2. Add the frozen fruit, freshly squeezed citrus, infused simple syrup, and spirit to the Vitamix Ascent X5. Blend on the Frozen Cocktail setting until you reach a perfectly smooth slush.

3. Pour into the chilled glasses, top with soda water or Prosecco, and garnish with additional fruit and garden accents.

That’s all for now! See you next time At Isabelle’s.