Spicy Caprese Cocktail

Spicy Caprese Cocktail - say cheers to the classic summertime salad, in cocktail form! Mini Heirloom tomatoes, cubes of jalapeno havarti, and fresh basil - cheers!

 

Portland is experiencing a heat wave this week. Like, three digit heat. I have been wearing my favorite straw cowboy hat everywhere I go. I just need an old Jeep CJ5 to drive around in, all doors and windows off.

Despite the heat, evenings have been perfect.

In the summer, our family room extends to the back yard. Rosemary loves to sniff around  - and terrorize the frogs in our pond - and we love to hang in the cool evenings, often with our laptops and a cocktail.

This week is far too hot for anything but an ice cold beer or a chilly vodka soda lime. After the heat wave breaks, we shall return to our latest libation of summer - the Spicy Caprese.

My favorite heirloom tomatoes are here! Big and small, I cannot get enough. For the spicy caprese, we use the small - aren't they something? Another recent arrival to our liquor cabinet - a few bottles from Portland's Eastside Distilling!

Jason and I make frequent visits to their tasting room - we picked up all kinds of cheer for gifts during the holidays.

That Oregon Oaked Burnside Bourbon is fantastic. I have a recipe coming later with that one.

Our Spicy Caprese uses Portland Potato Vodka - crisp and clear for sipping over ice, and great as a mixer!

Spicy Caprese Cocktail

YIELD: serves two

dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan

INGREDIENTS:

8 ounces organic vegetable juice, chilled
4 ounces Portland Potato Vodka (Eastside Distilling)
juice of ½ lemon
1 tablespoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon onion salt

garnish: mini heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, cubes of Jalapeño Havarti cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine chilled vegetable juice, vodka, lemon juice, hot sauce and onion salt; pour into glasses. 

Garnish with tomato, cheese cubes, and fresh basil leaves.

 

Caprese Cheers!

 

spabettie is a longtime fan of Eastside Distilling. They graciously sent us bottles to enjoy, and creating recipes was our choice.

 

 

printable recipe:

 

Yield: 2 cocktails

[b]Spicy Caprese Cocktail[/b]

Print

dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan

Ingredients

• 8 ounces organic vegetable juice
• 4 ounces Portland Potato Vodka (Eastside Distilling)
• juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• ½ teaspoon onion salt
• garnish: mini heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, cubes of Jalapeño Havarti cheese

Instructions

1. Combine chilled vegetable juice, vodka, lemon juice, hot sauce and onion salt; pour into glasses.
2. Garnish with tomato, cheese cubes, and fresh basil leaves.

Spicy Caprese Cocktail[/b]" thumbnail="https://www.spabettie.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/DSC_2637.jpg" type="recipe"]