An EFFEN Good Summer

Posted by Nina

on June 28, 2010

Back in April, EFFEN Vodka hosted a fun event at the ROOF at theWit, focusing on meaningful and sustainable design. What’s the connection between EFFEN and design? EFFEN chooses to be different from other vodkas by design, featuring all natural ingredients. Its bottle was also designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and functional–the patented rubber sleeve that it is encased in provides insulation to keep the vodka chilled longer, as well as easier handling.

I asked one of my girlfriends to come to the event with me and we loved enjoying the amazing views at ROOF, the lounge on the roof of theWit Hotel. We met a lot of Chicago foodies and bloggers, like Better With Butter and the Local Tourist, and heard about Chicago architecture and sustainability from Jonathan Boyer. We also got to enjoy some delicious cocktails by mixologist Jonny Abens (featuring EFFEN, of course). Now that summer’s in full swing, I wanted to share these drink recipes with you so that you can bust them out at your next warm weather get-together!

From mixologist Jonny Abens:

Sustainable Sour

1.5 oz EFFEN Vodka
1 oz St. Germain
.5 oz simple syrup
.75 oz fresh lemon

Pour ingredients over ice, shake, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon and cherry.

Green City Gimlet

1.5 oz EFFEN Vodka
.5 oz Cointreau
.75 oz fresh lime
2 basil leaves

Muddle one basil leaf and add remaining ingredients over ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a fresh basil leaf.

Chicago Caipiroska

1.5 oz EFFEN Black Cherry Vodka
1 oz brown sugar simple syrup
2 lime wedges
2 dashes of cherry bitters

Muddle lime wedges and add remaining ingredients to shaker. Shake all ingredients and pour over ice into a rocks glass.

Second City Sparkler

1 oz EFFEN Black Cherry Vodka
.5 oz Domaine de Canton
.5 oz fresh lemon
Prosecco

Pour first three ingredients over ice, shake, and strain into a champagne flute. Top with prosecco and garnish with a lemon twist.

And here are a few more recipes straight from EFFEN:

EFFEN-tini

1 part EFFEN Vodka
1 part champagne
1 part pineapple juice

Mix ingredients and serve.

Black Cherry Cosmo

2 parts EFFEN Black Cherry Vodka
1 part orange liqueur

Add a splash of cranberry juice and serve.

EFFEN Raspberry Lemonade

1 part EFFEN Raspberry Vodka
1 part lemonade

Mix ingredients and add a splash of cranberry juice.

EFFEN Bliss

1.5 parts EFFEN Vodka
2.5 parts fresh lemon sour
1 part simple syrup
1 strawberry
2 basil leaves

Tear basil leaves and muddle with the strawberry and simple syrup. Add all remaining ingredients and shake with ice, then double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of strawberry and fresh ground pepper medley.

EFFEN Ginger Snap

1.5 parts EFFEN Vodka
.5 part Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
1.5 parts fresh pressed apple juice
1 part fresh lemon sour
.5 part egg whites

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel on the rim and a dusting of fresh ground cinnamon.

EFFEN Picnic

1 part EFFEN Vodka
1 part fresh watermelon juice
1 part ginger ale

Mix ingredients and add a splash of fresh sweet & sour.

EFFEN Savory

2-3 parts EFFEN Vodka
Choice of fresh savory herbs: thyme, rosemary, tarragon, basil, or sage
Vermouth

In a mixing glass muddle the selected herbs with vermouth, add EFFEN, and shake with ice. Then double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive that has been speared with a sprig of herb (thyme or rosemary) or wrap a leaf of herb around olive and spear with cocktail pick.

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