Enjoy variations of classic cocktails while learning the re-emerging art of muddling.

Gone are the days of powdered bar mix and maraschino cherries. Today’s ambitious bartenders squeeze only fresh juice and don’t garnish with manufactured fruit. They create delicious tasting and beautifully looking cocktails by muddling, a century-old technique whereby fresh fruit and herbs are mashed together to extract their truest flavour. Mojitos, Mint Juleps and Bellinis have all seen a renaissance of late, and for good reason. They’re simple cocktails with few ingredients that turn an ordinary summer afternoon into something memorable (we hope!), but that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with new versions of these classic cocktails.

How about a watermelon and cucumber Mojito or a fresh thyme Bellini? Pom-Secco anyone? It’s a refreshing combo of muddled grapes and pomegranate juice then topped with Prosecco. Can you think of a better way to begin a meal on your favourite patio?

Though time consuming to make, muddle cocktails really do make a difference on the palate. If you’ve ever had an expertly made Mojito, with its intense lime and refreshing mint flavour, brought out by extracting the ingredients’ essential oils, you know what we’re talking about. And the great thing about muddling is that there aren’t any real tricks — just place your fruit and fresh herbs into a pint glass or cocktail shaker and mash with a broad-based muddler, if you’ve got one, or a wooden spoon if you don’t. Just make sure to really beat it up good, releasing all the wonderful natural flavours.

Watermelon and Cucumber Mojito

Invigorating and thirst-quenching, this Mojito-with-a-twist could put Gatorade out of business!

• 3 triangles watermelon, rind removed
• 3 sprigs fresh mint
• 6 slices English cucumber
• 1 tsp sugar
• Squeeze of lime juice
• 1-1/2 oz white rum
• Top with ginger ale

Combine watermelon, mint, cucumber slices, sugar and lime juice in a cocktail shaker and muddle until fragrant (1-2 minutes). Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice, add rum and top with ginger ale. Garnish with another watermelon triangle and cucumber slice.

Fresh Thyme Bellini

Originally created in Venice, the Bellini is the quintessential summer cocktail, though originally served for only a couple months in the summer when peaches were in season. If you can’t get ripe fruit use peach purée and muddle it with the fresh thyme to release the herbaceous flavour.

• 3 ripe peach slices, skin removed
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, stems removed
• 1 tsp sugar
• Dash orange bitters
• 4 oz chilled Prosecco

Combine peach slices, thyme, sugar and bitters in a cocktail shaker and muddle until peaches are almost puréed. Pour mixture into a chilled martini glass and top with Prosecco. Garnish with another sprig of fresh thyme.

Mint Julep

The official drink of the Kentucky Derby, this boozy concoction is not for the faint of heart. Traditionally it’s made with a mint-infused simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar brought to a boil, then cooled overnight in the fridge with fresh mint) but this method works just as well for those not keen enough to prepare their drinks 24 hours in advance.

• 4 sprigs fresh mint
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 oz water
• 2 oz bourbon

Combine mint, sugar and water in a cocktail shaker and muddle for 1 minute. Strain mixture into a silver julep glass filled with shaved ice, top with bourbon and garnish with fresh mint sprig.

Pom-Secco

Pomegranate is the new orange juice. It’s become such a staple in the cocktail world, turning up in everything from Mojitos to martinis, that its popularity is showing no signs of slowing down. Case in point, the Pom-Secco, a delicious blend of grapes, pomegranate juice and sparkling wine.

• 4 seedless red grapes
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 oz pomegranate juice
• 4 oz Prosecco
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice

Muddle grapes and sugar in a cocktail shaker for 1 minute. Add pomegranate juice, Prosecco and lemon juice and shake gently. Strain into a chilled champagne flute and garnish with an orange twist, if desired.

First published at CanadianLiving.com