Drink Skinny: Southern Style Gin Cocktails

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Hi friends! I can’t believe it’s already Thursday. Now, Thursday is great on it’s own accord (so close to the weekend), but this Thursday? One for the record books. See, I have a small little interview this afternoon with, you know, just this guy.

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I’m going to be talking to him about the next season of No Reservations and um, can I just say, I LOVE MY JOB? Because I do. I’m so excited. So, guys, if you have any questions you want to ask the king of snark, sass and Travel Channel, EMAIL ME [realistic.nutritionist@gmail.com]. 

Despite my excitement for that, I’m just as excited to share these southern style gin cocktails with you! After perusing my recipe database (again, website revision) I realized something that just didn’t make me feel good. And that something is the fact that I don’t have ANY cocktail recipes. Not even one.

See that’s just plain wrong, given how much I enjoy dabbling in the occasional libation and given how many drinks I’m made for work! I mean, one entire month of my job was devoted to drinks.

So, I’m sorry for holding out on you guys.  To make up for my lack of boozy delights, I’ve sharing TWO with you. Thanks to the lovely folks at Beefeater Gin for sending me some delicious samples to try!

Now, you’re probably wondering what constitutes them as “southern style.” And really? I have no actual answer. I just like to think that when I’m down in Charleston, wearing my head to toe Lilly Pulitzer, I’ll be sipping these fancy, elegant gin cocktails while I stroll down Broad Street.

Hey, a girl can dream. Either way, these drinks just remind me of those long, hot, southern summer nights where you’ve covered in sticky sweat and are being swarmed by mosquitoes but wouldn’t dream of being anywhere else.

For those who know me, I grew up in the Midwest but went to college in Georgia. It was there I fell madly, head over heels in love with the south and decided that’s where I was going to live. Minus this little stint in the nation’s capital, I know I’ll be calling sweet south home again soon.

And when I do? Y’all better believe I’ll be sipping on these tasty cocktails on my veranda.


And clearly they’ll be served up in mason jars. I mean, come on y’all, what kind of Southern would I be if there weren’t any mason jars?

Cucumber recipe adapted from Saveur.

Southern Style Gin Cocktails

Yields 2 cocktails each
Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients: 

Grapefruit gin & juice:

  • 4 ounces gin
  • 6 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  • Mint leaves
  • Dash of sugar (optional for sweetness*)

Cucumber cocktail:

  • 4 ounces gin
  • 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 1/2 large lemons)
  • 1/4 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • Splash of tonic water

Directions: 

  • To make the grapefruit drink, use a citrus juicer to extract juice from grapefruit. Remove seeds. Pour grapefruit juice into a chilled martini mixer with ice. Add gin and shake. Pour mixture over ice cubes in a chilled glass and garnish with fresh mint.
  • To make the cucumber drink, pour gin, lemon juice and cucumber slices in a chilled martini mixer with ice, shake well. Pour mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice and top with tonic water, stir with a spoon. Garnish with thin slices of lemon and cucumber.

Nutritional information for ONE cocktail: 

Grapefruit: 

Calories: 185
Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 10
Protein: 1
Fiber: 0
Weight Watchers Points + pts: 5

For the cucumber drink:

Calories: 165
Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 10
Fiber: 0
Protein: 0
Weight Watchers Points + pts:  6

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Comments

  1. Posted by Melanie on
    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    I really, really, really want those cocktails.  Right now. 
  2. Posted by Kelly on
    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    Yummy looks fabulous!!!  Good luck with the interview!  Can't wait to hear ALL about it!!! xoxo
  3. Posted by Clare on
    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    Looks soo yummy and really refreshing. I actually have some gin in my house so I need to try this!
  4. Posted by Stephsbitebybite on
    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    Small admission here...I don't think I've ever had a drink that was made with gin. GASP...so looks like I need to try this this weekend! Sounds so refreshing!
  5. Posted by Stephsbitebybite on
    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    Small admission here...I don't think I've ever had a drink that was made with gin. GASP...so looks like I need to try this this weekend! Sounds so refreshing!
  6. Posted by healthyfoodietravels on
    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    Mmmm, what a great drink, and I love the jar instead of a glass :) I am so excited for you (and a weeee bit jealous) - have a blast!
  7. Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    Seriously can NOT contain my jealousy. I had a very *blush* naughty dream about him last night! and that picture is make me have unclean thoughts! Oh yeah and that cocktail is a must make. 
  8. Posted by Feast on the Cheap on
    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    Oooh, bookmarking as a contender for my first post-baby cocktail!
  9. Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    That is so exciting!!  What an awesome job!!

    One (or maybe two), of these beautiful cocktails would totally hit the spot right now!
  10. Posted by Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. on
    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    Ok first, I am jealous of your amazing interview! Can't wait to read it! Second, these drinks look so refreshing and tasty! Really love the grapefruit one!
  11. Posted by Anonymous on
    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    Oh my gosh! You get to/got to talk to Tony?!?!?! Oh so jealous. Please tell him to do a speaking engagement in Hawaii so I can stare at him in person and potentially have the opportunity to meet him and stutter out a few words.
    Oh, the drinks look great, too. Especially on a hot summer day!
  12. Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    We've been ginning it up this spring so these look great.  Tell me that interview was IN PERSON :)
  13. Posted by mjskit on
    Thursday, April 5th, 2012
    Both of these cocktails sound delicious and look perfect for hanging out on the patio on a warm day. I've never had a cocktail with grapefruit juice. Going to have to try this one!
  14. Posted by Themessybakerblog on
    Friday, April 6th, 2012
    Wow. Exciting! I would love my job too if I got to interview awesome foodies for a living. Good luck. Your gin cocktails look beautiful and refreshing. 
    • Posted by Claire Gallam10 on
      Friday, April 6th, 2012
      The drinks are amazing and thank you! It was awesome. 
  15. Posted by Branappetit on
    Friday, April 6th, 2012
    omg seriously?!? I LOVE him  - he is so hilarious. that's awesome!
  16. Friday, April 6th, 2012
    YUM!! I love gin and anything with cucumber... so excited for this recipe!!! :) 
  17. Posted by Erin on
    Friday, April 6th, 2012
    Seriously?!  I need your job?  Are you hiring, and can I work from CO? 
    These cocktails look perfect.  Love a good drink, and they are so much cuter in a mason jar!  Where did you grow up?  I am from WI originally.
  18. Posted by Ann Mc on
    Friday, April 6th, 2012
    These look SO delicious and refreshing!  Congratulations on your interview...I be you're excited!  I'm trilled for you!
  19. Posted by Lizzy Do on
    Sunday, April 8th, 2012
    Congrats on your interview...I'm certain it went well! And your gorgeous cocktails have me ready for summer...I can picture myself on the patio sipping on one of these beauties!
  20. Posted by Myfudo on
    Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
    Refreshing indeed...Will have to try and sip to relax my senses this afternoon. Thanks for sharing!
  21. Posted by Carrie on
    Monday, May 28th, 2012
    I made the grapefruit drink for a bridal shower and it was fantastic!!! Is it ok if I link the recipe to my blog? I'm doing a post on Friday about how to throw a clean eating healthy party and I'd love to share your recipe:) let me know:)
    • Posted by admin on
      Tuesday, May 29th, 2012
      Of course!
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