The Sage Smash adds muddles grapes and fresh sage leaves to the classic gin and tonic for a refreshing fall cocktail.
Welcome to Day 4 of Booze Week Part Deux. I’m home from my blogging conference now. Super tired from all our adventures. Let’s just say Seattle’s stores got a boost this past weekend. My friends and I shopped till we dropped, and it takes a lot to drop us.
So we’re having a blast for Booze Week, my friends are whipping up some amazing drinks. Today we have the lovely and talented Isabelle of Crumb. I heart Isabelle so very much. She is good people. Please welcome her to Cravings of a Lunatic.
I’m having a little trouble letting go of summer, even though all the signs of fall are here – the early nights, the briskness in the morning air, the colourful leaves lazily drifting down from the trees, the piles of pumpkins at the market. It’s really hard to live in denial right now.
So when Kim asked me if I wanted to come up with a guest post for Booze Week, I figured I’d shake up a little something to help me get over my fear of fall. A cocktail that would neatly bridge the things I love most about both seasons, plus a healthy splash of booze… because there’s nothing like a nice stiff drink to help me drown my sorrows.
This is the perfect compromise. It’s got all the refreshing crispness of a classic gin and tonic, but with woodsy sage and sweet grapes to make it more appropriate for fall. It’s best made with a clean, dry gin that isn’t overly floral (save the fancy Hendrick’s for another day), and with the firmest, sweetest grapes you can get your hands on.
I think I might need a couple more of these before I’m ready to accept the fact that fall is finally here to stay, though.
Actually, make that three…. or four… or five. Heck, I might just hide under my desk with a bottle of gin until it’s spring again. Sob.
- 6 red seedless grapes
- 4 leaves fresh sage
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 oz dry gin
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- Tonic water to finish
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In a cocktail shaker, muddle together the grapes with sage and sugar to release their juices. Add the gin and lemon juice, and shake vigorously with ice for about 30 seconds.
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Strain into a highball glass, and top off with tonic water. Garnish with sage leaves and halved grapes, if desired.
Recipe and Photo Credit to Isabelle Boucher of Crumb
Thanks so much to Isabelle for guest posting for me today. I adore this girl. Isabelle is a fellow Canuck and I have the distinct pleasure of knowing her in real life. I’ve been lucky enough to visit her on occasion. I get to see her again next month for the Food Bloggers of Canada conference. I’m a lucky duck.
You can see Isabelle’s Saganaki Shrimp on my site, she did that for me for Seafood Week. I interviewed her for my Burning Down The Kitchen Series, and made her Brownie Biscotti. You can also see my Coconut Cherry Parfaits on her site, I guest posted for her while she was away. We dig each other so we visit each other’s sites often.
You will totally dig her too. And stalk her everywhere. You can follow her blog Crumb on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. You will love Isabelle. She’s fabulous.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s guest post by Susan of The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen.
Toodles and smoochies! xx
Isabelle @ Crumb says
Thanks for all the kind words, lady! I’m always thrilled to bits to get a chance to guest post for you. (Especially when it also gives me an excuse to work out my frustrations by bashing the crap out of some grapes, and then washing away any residual sorrows with gin. Oh, the sacrifices I make for my friends.) 🙂
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
What a great drink. I love the combination of grapes and sage. So jealous of your time in Seattle, wish I could have been there!
Stacy says
Can’t wait to bash the crap out of some grapes, a la Isabelle, to make this fabulous drink! It looks so refreshing!
Kim Beaulieu says
I can’t stop freaking laughing right now.
Ginny McMeans says
Welcome Isabelle! Love your refreshing gin drink. I wish it wasn’t 10:45 at night because it sounds soooo good but I will be good and restrain – – – until tomorrow. 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny says
I just spent the weekend hanging out with Isabelle and she is the best! This cocktail also looks mighty fine. Super delicious!
Kim Beaulieu says
Yeah! She is such a hoot, and so smart. I heart her so much. I get to hang with her is a few weeks and I’m so excited about it. She’s just good people. And she makes kick ass drinks. And chocolate pizzas too.
christine says
I was totally in fall mode and then we got a few days of 80 degree weather and I’m being pulled back into summer. I could use a few of these cocktails to get me through the transition
Heather // girlichef says
Oh, this is such an amazing twist on a gin and tonic, and yes (imo), sage always gets me in the mood for fall. Soooo pretty, too!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
What a fantastically creative drink! I’ve got to try this… PINNED!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
I would never think to put grapes and sage together but anything with gin…and tonic…and grapes…and sage…I’m in! Can’t wait to try this concoction out!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I’m glad to see booze week is still going strong! This looks like another winner! Hope you had fun at the conference!
[email protected] Mom says
Super creative! Love sage and grapes!
Lora @cakeduchess says
Sage smash gin and tonic…just that name alone has my mouth watering! I’m now a fan of gin and tonic and this is the way to start off the week;)) Cheers, my friend!
Amanda @The Kitcheneer says
What a great blend of fruit and spices in this cocktail!
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds says
Boy, this looks delicious! Wish I had one in my hand right now!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
Isabelle is a cocktail genius! I would have never thought about pairing sage with gin. Love it!
Meseidy says
Great twist to a cocktail!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
I have never (I don’t think) had sage in a beverage. I bet it’s an interesting flavor.
Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com says
Need to try sage on my drink! Should try this one.