Today is the start of the holiday weekend. For most, Labor Day weekend signifies the end of summer. This year, it also happens to be our 29th wedding anniversary & a good friend’s “Close to the Big One” birthday. So, we have lots to celebrate this weekend, all of which call for a drink! This one is the latest craze in our household.
For a while now, Kelly has been encouraging me to try drinks made with ginger beer, like a Moscow Mule or a Dark & Stormy. I love ginger, however, I am not a beer fan, so I’ve always refused. Then I discovered ginger beer wasn’t a beer at all but a fermented soft drink. It’s not quite a soda, either, since it is not carbonated. Ginger beer is a spicier, less sweet version of ginger ale.
A few months back, we took a break during Kelly & Gilbert’s moving day to eat at the lunch counter of an international market near their apartment. The market sold ginger beer in their refrigerator case. I had a ginger beer with some really good falafel that day and all 3 times we’ve gone back to Tangiers since.
Shortly after Kelly & Gilbert’s move, I was shopping at a cooking store with Andrew in preparation for his move & I spotted ginger beer for sale. I bought some, but had no real sense of what to would do with it other that drink it straight. When I searched for recipes using ginger beer, I found numerous cocktails. As the resident mixologist, I got busy. A mash up of the Moscow Mule and Dark & Stormy is my offering to start this holiday weekend of celebrations off right!
Malibu Storm Cocktail
Malibu Storm Cocktail (adapted from thekitchn.com)
Serves 1
Zest & juice of 1/2 lime or 1 tablespoon lime juice
3 ounces coconut rum
3 ounces ginger beer
Into an old-fashioned glass, put the zest & juice of 1/2 a lime. Pour the rum & ginger beer into the glass, stirring gently. Add ice. Garnish with a lime slice if desired.
Bottom’s Up! ~Linda
Malibu Storm Cocktail (adapted from thekitchn.com)
Serves 1
Zest & juice of 1/2 lime or 1 tablespoon lime juice
3 ounces coconut rum
3 ounces ginger beer
Into an old-fashioned glass, put the zest & juice of 1/2 a lime. Pour the rum & ginger beer into the glass, stirring gently. Add ice. Garnish with a lime slice if desired.