How many times do you find yourself asking, “Is it 5 o’clock yet?” Here are some of the best summer wines and cocktails being served up here in Memphis — there’s even a recipe or two. Thank you to Greencork, Erling Jensen, and Alchemy for sharing these delightful libations with us today!
Alchemy
Alchemy in Cooper-Young is one of Memphis’ favorite contemporary restaurants with a fun, upbeat bar, perfect for lingering. alchemymemphis.com
Alchemy
Here are three of the newest cocktails on the menu for blissful summertime sipping:
Tequila Mockingbird – Pueblo Viejo Blanco Tequila, Fresh Watermelon Puree, Fresh Lime Juice, Agave
Tequila Mockingbird at Alchemy
Sparkling Pears – Absolut Pears, Fresh Pear Puree, Star Anise, Lemon, Prosecco
Dancing Jimmy’s Secret – Ciroc Vodka, Fresh Lime, Muddled Grapes, Cane Sugar
Two more cocktails at Alchemy: (l to r) Sparkling Pears and Dancing Jimmy’s Secret
Erling Jensen
Erling Jensen is a longstanding, elite Memphis restaurant that offers laid-back dining in their bar area and patio. This quiet, cozy bar and porch area is the perfect local spot in East Memphis to wind down. ejensen.com
The patio at Erliing Jensen
Enjoy a few of the summertime cocktails being served here, along with a recipe for each! Thank you, Chef Erling!
Born Native – Clean and crisp, thrills on Blueberry Hill with Citron Vodka, mint ribbons and muddled berries
Born Native at Erling Jensen
Born Native
Ingredients
- Martini Glass with 3 Blueberry Garnish
- 5-6 Blueberries with a squirt of Lemon
- 2 oz Citron Vodka
- ½ oz simple syrup
- ¾ oz lemon
- Splash of Cranberry
- Splash of muddled mint liqueur
- Chiffonade of 2 large mint leaves
Instructions
- Muddle in shaker: blueberries with a squirt of lemon.
- Put Ice in shaker and add remaining ingredients.
- Shake hard and strain into glass.
Cool Cucumber – Square One Cucumber Vodka and Thatcher’s Organic Cucumber Liqueur
Cool Cucumber cocktail at Erling Jensen
Recipe: Cool Cucumber
Ingredients
- 4 parts Square One Cucumber Vodka
- 3 parts Thatcher's Cucumber Liqueur
- Splash of simple syrup.
Instructions
- Shake with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cucumber slice.
Sobieski Moscow Mule – Sobieski Vodka and Gosling’s Ginger Beer with a Splash of Lime. Served Chicago style in a copper mug
Sobieski Moscow Mule cocktail at Erling Jensen
Recipe: Sobieski Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Sobieski Vodka
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 4 - 6 ounces Gosling's Ginger Beer
Instructions
- Fill a 10 ounce copper mug with ice.
- Add Vodka and Lime juice.
- Top with Ginger Beer.
Greencork
At the Greencork self-serve wine bar in Cooper-Young, they serve about 40 varieties of wine per week so that guests always have something new and exciting to try. greencorkwine.com
Greencork
Visit soon and try these three California wines currently on tap, perfect for summertime:
Three favorite summertime wines at Greencork.
Rombauer Zinfandel – This one is not your granny’s Zin. A lot of people think Zinfandel is only a sweet blush wine. The color of garnets, Rombauer is a robust red wine on a par with Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasting of plums, dark fruit, with a hint of orange and vanilla, this luscious wine pairs well with grilled red meat as well as with tomato-based dishes and hard zesty cheeses.
Calera Viognier – Calera Viognier should work its way into your next picnic basket. Light and crisp, this wine is moderately dry and has a nice clean finish. Citrusy with notes of peach and honeysuckle, this wine pairs great with with seafood and makes a perfect aperitif.
Smoking Loon Red Loonatic – This wine is turning heads at Greencork. This blend is predominantly Syrah grapes with a tad of Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir and other grapes thrown in for pleasant good measure. Red Loonatic is medium bodied and modestly priced. Serve slightly chilled with barbecue or burgers. Great back porch wine.
Have a happy, happy hour!
