Sunday, June 27, 2010

Long Island Lemonade Cocktail

The Lemonade Stand. Everyone has probably dabbled in this sidewalk small business venture at least once in their lifetime. The temperature is creeping upward. We set up a card table in front of the steps and throw a plastic flowered table cloth over it. We write out a sign with thick black magic marker that reads “Lemonade 5 Cents.” Mom mixes a big pitcher of frosty lemonade and arms us with a supply of wax paper cups. Then, we sit outside and wait for the cash to roll in. Or, we drink the lemonade because it’s pretty hot in the afternoon sun.

Nowadays, I work in an air-conditioned office building, so I don’t have to hawk lemonade on the sidewalk in the summertime, and when the temperature climbs, I still seek relief and refreshment, usually on the privacy of my deck. Still, I haven’t lost my appreciation for local entrepreneurs.

Rich Stabile, the founder of Long Island Spirits in Baiting Hollow on the North Fork of Long Island, knows a bit about building local business. He created LiV Voda, Long Island’s first craft vodka, and now he’s introducing a new line of liqueurs he calls Sorbetta. The Sorbetta family of liqueurs is crafted in micro-batches using LiV Vodka and are available in Lemon, Orange and Strawberry. LiV Vodka is distilled from Long Island potatoes, so it’s a product that’s closely tied to the agricultural heritage and community of the North Fork. The three Sorbettas are made using hand-peeled, macerated fresh fruits. The Lemon Sorbetta tastes sleek and smooth, with just a hint of tartness.

I thought I’d celebrate the arrival of Sorbetta and summer with a special concoction which I call the “Long Island Lemonade Cocktail” using Sorbetta Lemon Liqueur. It’s sassy, tart and delicious, but it is definitely a far cry from the beverage we sold from that sidewalk lemonade stand!
Louise over at Months of Edible Celebrations, is always in the mood for some merriment, and she’s hosting her annual “Picnic Game” again this year with 26 bloggers contributing to the picnic basket. I’m game. Nothing beats eating outdoors. What could be better to bring to a picnic than a refreshing (and adult) summer cocktail? I’m going on a picnic, and I’m bringing...
K - Kaltschale (Cold Fruit Soup)
L - Long Island Lemonade Cocktail!
2 ounces LiV Vodka or citron vodka of choice
1 ounce Sorbetta Lemon Liqueur crafted from LiV Vodka
1 ounce organic lemonade

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into martini glass. Garnish with lemon slice and lemon sugar.

©2010 T.W. Barritt All Rights Reserved

25 comments:

Deana Sidney said...

TW>Thanks for spreading the word about good local producers making great products. It sounds like my kind of lemonade and that photo is just beyond perfect... it glows with the spirit of the lemon, Bravo!

Anonymous said...

Woke up this morning and had to try this great recipe....One of the best cocktails I have ever had, cools off the Haziest, Hot and Humid Long Island summer...

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

If you sell these at the lemonade stand, you'll have to charge more than 5 cents!

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Love all of their Sorbettas! I wonder how this recipe would be with the Strawberry Sorbetta in place of the lemon Sorbetta for a Strawberry Lemonade!

Julia said...

How wonderfully local!! And that does look refreshing...

ford mackenzie said...

I am going to set the kids up with a 'long island lemonade' stand next weekend--i am sure with our 'secret ingredients' it will blow all of the other neighborhood stands away

~~louise~~ said...

I was one of those entrepreneurs in the good ol days and to this day, I can not pass up a Lemonade Stand at a yard sale or on the side of the road where there is a little one peddling their home made refreshment.

It's wonderful to hear the spirit of Long Island is thriving where potato farms once darned the landscape and gratifying to know the creators of LiV Vodka have ventured on to yet another line of liqueurs.

Thank you so much for playing the Picnic Game, T.W. with a special thank you for bringing a taste of home along with you. I sure could use a Long Island Lemonade Cocktail right about now! Those glistening glasses are calling my name; Louise, Louise, I can hear them from here...

~I AM Love~* said...

love the updated version, and glad you were able to taste some of long island's own...Cheers!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

T.W.
This sounds perfect - sassy and tart. A wonderful summer cocktail.
Sam

Johanna GGG said...

street side lemonade stalls brings peanuts to mind (as in the cartoon strip not the nut) - never did it myself but admired the enterprising kids on peanuts - love your bottle of Sorbetta

Amy said...

Hi there!
My blog ( www.thegourmandmom.wordpress.com )got a couple clicks from your site yesterday, so I clicked on your link. Great blog! And I notice that you're from LI and attended French Culinary Institute, just like me(though I'm no longer on the Island). Just wanted to say hi to a fellow Long Islander. I'll be checking out your blog again!
Amy

Mary Bergfeld said...

I could have one, quite possibly two, glasses of your "lemonade." The sorbettas sound delicious. You are so fortunate to have them locally produced. I love how the vodka is bottled. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

Heather S-G said...

Whew! Thank god someone brought the booze!! I'll be sitting near you at this picnic ;) Sounds delicious and refreshing...perfect picnic drink!

Juliana said...

Oh! Nice to have "adults" drink at the picnic...look forward to try it...it sure looks yummie!

Peggy said...

sounds like a great cocktail!

veron said...

never had sorbetta but it looks very refreshing specially in this hot and humid weather!

velva said...

You know I love a good cocktail. This one is a wonderful way to celebrate a handcrafted local vodka. Awesome.

TeachMom said...

Wow, this looks yummy. A sure thing this summer!

tasteofbeirut said...

Love it especially the fact that it is local, artisanal, lemony and beautifully designed (bottle); I am going to try this asap. Perfect for that picnic.

Fresh Local and Best said...

This is a neat local product. I like your description of the vodka, sassy, tart and delicious. It sounds like it would make a mean cocktail.

Anonymous said...

I may be wrong, but I think this is the only drink being served so bring tons of it.

Susan from Food Blogga said...

I never hosted a lemonade stand when I was a kid because we always went to Del's Lemonade! This looks like a fabulous cocktail, TW. I adore tart, lemony drinks like this! Happy 4th of July, my friend!

Stacey Snacks said...

This sounds wonderful!
I am all about cocktails in the summer.
My favorite has been gin with a lemon twist and a splash of tonic, but I would happily add some of this lovely Sorbetta!
Happy summer TW!

Jann said...

what a beautiful photo and perfect summer quencher !I will look for this on my next trip back to the city!

~~louise~~ said...

Hi T.W.
I just wanted to take a moment to "personally" thank you for "playing" the picnic game this year. It was such fun having you there with a taste of home.

Thank you again, T.W. May you have a Safe & Happy Independence Day Louise