cactus & kudzu

I’ve been deliberating about what would be a good cocktail for my tailgating series.

It came to me the other day. A wonderful way to represent Alabama would be, of course, a sweet tea vodka cocktail.

I thought about what else would be a great addition to that. Then it came to me—mint! I thought about the fantastic mint sweet tea that I order at Hooligans in Tuscaloosa, and it only seemed appropriate. And somehow honey sounded like the perfect way to tie both flavors together.

So I took some mint, placed in a glass with a healthy pinch or two of sugar, and muddled it.

Now, if you don’t have a muddler (I don’t), just find a rounded surface to gently crush the mint leaves. I used the end of a wooden spoon. Be careful not to shred the leaves or overly crush them. If you do, you may release the chloroform in the veins of the leaves, which creates a bitter flavor. Just gently press on the leaves until you start to smell a more minty smell than you were smelling before. Then you know you’ve successfully muddled.

Then add some honey. I added a teaspoon.

Then place some ice in the glass, and here comes the part that really depends on your taste. I added one and a half shots of sweet tea vodka (I used Firefly), and then filled the rest of the glass with water. But if you aren’t crazy about tasting the flavor of the vodka (or there’s no way you’d need that much vodka in your cocktail), go ahead and start with one shot, then add water, and see how you like the taste.

Deliberate the taste while you go visit a certain someone who is just really perplexed by your camera. Then say hi to his little friends who live next door.

Return to your cocktail, stir well, and place a straw in the glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Enjoy the fresh mint flavor that highlights the comforting taste of the sweet tea. The Alabama honey brings it all together for a true Southern cocktail that’s great for your tailgate. Serve drinks individually in mason jars or create a big batch in a pitcher or beverage dispenser. Roll Tide!

Honey-Mint Sweet Tea Cocktail
Makes 1 drink

4 to 6 leaves fresh mint
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon honey
2 to 3 ice cubes
1 shot sweet tea vodka (I used Firefly)
Water to taste
Garnish: sprig fresh mint

Gently wash mint and pat dry with a paper towel. Place mint in desired serving glass. Pour sugar over mint.

With a muddler, or a rounded wooden or metal surface, gently muddle mint leaves.

Add honey, ice, and vodka. Add water to taste. Stir drink together. Garnish with a sprig of mint.