Mama said there’d be days like this. And when there are, you might consider adding a bit of lemon balm to your evening cocktail. It’s been used since the middle ages to reduce stress and anxiety, and promote sleep. Plus with a lovely lemony scent, and pretty toothed leaves, it makes a gorgeous garnish. Sometimes, I’m all about the pretty.
This evening’s local cocktail was a sweet combination of the juneberries (a.k.a, sugarplums) from our generous next door neighbor muddled with the lemon balm that so generously reseeded itself along the patio edges. After a tough day (read: extra loud, bossy Cherub), this is exactly the cocktail I want in my hand.
Small handful of juneberries
Four or five large leaves of lemon balm
1 T powdered sugar
1 1/2 shot of vanilla vodka (I used OYO’s Honey Vanilla Bean)
Triple sec to rinse out a martini glass
In the bottom of a cocktail shaker muddle the berries, sugar and lemon balm. Fill with crushed ice. Add the vodka. Shake well and pour into the martini glass that has been rinsed with a small splash of triple sec. Garnish with a lemon balm leaf.
Playlist included Make Some Noise, by the Beastie Boys.
Filed under: Alcohol, Cocktail, Drinks Cabinet, Juneberries, Local Foods, Music, Ohio, OYO Vodka, Quick, Recipes, Spring