Summer is just around the corner and our evenings are starting to warm up.

I find myself just wanting to sit outside and relax with friends and family basking in the long summer evenings that we’re  fortunate enough to enjoy here in the north state.

After a day at Whiskytown Lake or simply just capping off a week at work, what would be better on a warm summer evening than a lovely cocktail made with fresh berries? I know our local berries are several weeks out, but I had a difficult time resisting the piles of deep red raspberries displayed at my local market today. I LOVE berries. Everything about them is a complete joy to me. The color, the size, the flavors and, of course, the amazing versatility. I tend to add berries to just about anything when they start to arrive in the markets. I love them in salads, on chicken; in every dessert possible. Having a cocktail that is infused with the berries is a refreshing treat to greet the approaching summer heat.
Cheers!

Summer Breeze + Raspberry Cocktails = Festive Fun!

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Raspberry Orange Cocktail

To make a vanilla simple syrup take 1 cup sugar to 1 cup water. Add 2 split vanilla beans. Bring to a boil, until sugar dissolves. Remove vanilla beans. Store in a glass container in the fridge for about a month. Just remember to make a simple syrup the recipe is ALWAYS equal parts sugar to water. Heat and then add what flavor is desired. I also use simple syrups to imbibe my cakes to make moist.

Alas, that will be another column.

Ready to make a cocktail now? I am a fan of the small martini glass. These gigantic martini glasses are cute and all, but really, they just lead to trouble. I think the small glass is more suitable and then having more than one does not sound so absurd.
Prepare 2 small or one large martini glass(es ) with a sugared rim. To sugar a rim of a glass, wet the rim of the glass and drip the rim into a cup of sugar that is spread out evenly on a small plate.

In a cocktail shaker muddle the raspberries and the sugar. Add the vanilla syrup and juices, At this point it will be necessary to pour the liquid through a strainer to remove the seeds. Fill shaker with ice and add the vodka and the raspberry mixture. Give your cocktail a good shake and then pour into a prepared martini glass. Garnish with raspberries and orange peel.

Invite a neighbor or some friends over and make a few of these delights. Get together and share your time, your laughter, your stories. These will be the times that will bond friendships and create memories. Try different berries, I think blackberries would be incredible!

Enjoy your cocktails!
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Andrea Charroin was a trained baker and pastry chef in San Francisco before she, her husband Westley, and their two sons moved to Redding nine years ago. After falling in love with Redding’s downtown, Andrea and Westley opened a little pastry shop, Rene-Joule Patisserie, across from the Cascade Theatre. For the three years Rene-Joule was in business, it was renowned for making everything from scratch, using the best ingredients and keeping with a seasonal menu. To this day, Andrea is still asked about her Marathon Bars, Orange Twists and sourdough bread.

Copyright 2008 Andrea R. Charroin