Blackberry Negroni

Blackberry season is just ending here in the woods, but I can still find a few on the bushes just off our deck. I was shooting a new restaurant in Napa recently that features a Negroni on their menu and I thought, oh!, what a lovely end-of-summer cocktail. 

A traditional Negroni is garnished with an orange twist, but since there aren’t many oranges around here these days, I garnished mine with a few blackberries…and I’ll say, it’s pretty delish!

Blackberry Negroni: Equal parts Gin, Campari and (sweet/red) Vermouth. I stirred mine in the mixing glass you see above from Umami Mart. Serve it chilled or on the rocks. Garnish with a blackberry and sip outdoors when the sun is getting low and golden!

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More warm-weather drink ideas: Nectarine Campari Soda, Strawberry-Maple Fizz, Blackberry Shrub Mocktail.

The Fritz

My husband’s uncle had a big birthday bash at Red Rooster in Harlem over the weekend and we were so sad to miss it! In his honor, I created an illustration with a recipe for his favorite drink, the Fritz. Equal parts gin and vodka with cocktail onions- this guy doesn’t mess around! The drink recipe was displayed on the bar for guests to try and printed out as a party favor. Red Rooster is such a fun New York spot. I have had the honor of photographing Marcus and his delicious food a few times. Above is a photo I took of him at The James Beard House back in 2009. Cheers and Happy Birthday, Uncle Fred!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Cocktail Party in the Woods

Last weekend we hosted some people from my husband’s work for a little late afternoon cocktail party. While he set up the bar on the deck, I put together some snacks. I didn’t have a lot of time, so I went for colorful and easy: crudite and several dips, cheeses garnished with fresh herbs, dates, sliced baguette, crackers, nuts, and fresh fruit. I also made a couple sheets of my Zucchini Puff Pastry Bites and a guest brought some beautiful pastries from the farmer’s market. I filled my vintage bottles with different alcohols and mixers, each marked with tags I got at Staples. In addition to an ice bucket full of beer and Cultivate Wines (which I love for the company’s commitment to giving back), I mixed up some Berry Fizzes to pass out, each garnished with a cute paper straw (purchased on Amazon). As the sun went down, we lounged on blankets and played bocce ball…overall, a dreamy and golden afternoon outdoors!

Photos, recipes and illustrations by Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Strawberry Mint Julep

Strawberries came in my CSA box this week, so in honor of “I’ll Have Another” winning the Kentucky Derby this weekend, I thought I’d make a special drink with a seasonal twist. Cheers!

Citron Rosemary Fizz Cocktail

A lovely Spring Cocktail! Make your own Citron Vodka by soaking lemons or Buddha’s Hand Citron rind in vodka for a few days (or simply buy citron/citrus vodka). Mix vodka with one teaspoon rosemary simple syrup and top of with seltzer. Serve cold with a sprig of rosemary…cheers!