Funny, I wrote this post 2 years ago and it's like dejavu; I could be saying almost identical words today. STILL gardening...and still enjoying this gorgeous and refreshing cocktail.
I seem to be running late with cocktails on a regular basis; where my typical habit is to make them a couple of days ahead of time (and believe me I can only WISH I was a week ahead), lately Friday morning rolls around and I've yet to make a cocktail for Friday Cocktails. I can blame it on yardwork for a couple more weeks right?
After a three year battle with the builder; they finally had to accept the fact the I was not giving up or giving in on some issues and have finally started to manage them. My sod was put into place without actually prepping the clay underneath it and it's left it both a bumpy mess to walk on but also means a great deal of the water I pay for to keep it green simply rolls off underneath it.
Two weeks ago the sod was removed and the soiled prepped with organic matter and last week they started sod replacement on Friday. I felt I needed to watch the contractors like a hawk...so no cocktail but a repeat of one of my all time favorites. This is such a unique combination of flavors but the end result is beautiful and so tasty; great for all of your summer holiday get to-gethers!
I moved into this house with a builder landscaped front yard and just grass and rock and more rock in the back yard and I thought I could handle it. I was wrong. I have completely redone the front yard, removing most of the plants deemed suitable by the company that does lot after lot after lot with the same look and it's getting there.
While I did replace all of the foundation plants (not sure who the landscape designer is but grass is NOT a foundation plant!), my biggest change has been to include a variety of landscape perennials along the front border. I have worked unimaginable hard...getting the grass done will hopefully be the final piece and I can pat myself on the back and take a break for a bit. Until I start a deck next weekend. Not kidding!
Daisies, yarrow, purple speedwell and ever-blooming daylilies are starting to provide the mass of blooms I longed for. I like perennials that not only last almost all summer but tolerate dry conditions; they get a bit of water from the sprinklers watering the grass so I haven't had to add them to my drip line which is perfect...color without using more water!
Still it's hard work as every hole requires digging out heavy, compacted clay and replacing it with a planting mix before even considering taking the plant out of the pot. At the end of the day I'm tired and when I should be making a cocktail and taking photos...I'm sort of crashing. The heat is here and my days of planting are almost over; a couple of shrubs after the deck is in and I'm done for the season. Yes, once I'm done I will absolutely to a post with photos!
I was fortunate to have a bottle of Prairie Organic Cucumber Vodka on hand; it was sort of perfect. Prairie has taken their corn-distilled vodka and added garden fresh cucumber flavor. I liked the simplicity of this blend; pretty straightforward without additional flavor notes. One reviewer said and it's true, 'A quiet recreation of cucumber sandwiches, hold the sandwiches.'
The thing about cucumber in a cocktail is that it's not extraordinary; but is at the same time. It's adds a cool element, much like cucumbers do to a salad or sandwich. Not overwhelming or overpowering, nope just something almost indiscernible yet still so refreshing. If you can't find cucumber vodka, just add a couple of slices of cucumber when you muddle together the lime and watermelon; that should do the job nicely.
This is so perfect; one of those ultra refreshing cocktails that I think I need to have ready after a day of that gardening stuff...and today I do. So while I head out to get a second lavender bush in the ground you can start before me and be enjoying one of these in your own garden. It's not just a beautiful look; this is one damn fine cocktail.
5 minPrep Time
1 minCook Time
6 minTotal Time
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