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Drink Sun Jul 01 2007
My Sweet Clementines
Currently, Trader Joe’s is carrying some of the finest little Clementine oranges I’ve seen in quite a while. Grown in Chile, this variety of mandarin orange is sold in 2lb. netted bags that retail for a very friendly $3.50. These “Premium Clementines” rate very highly in taste and have an uncommon juiciness that makes for a bit of a messy snack, but one heck of a cocktail ingredient. Sure, they work quite well in any recipe that calls for a little OJ, but a simple cocktail allows the Clementine juice’s uniquely tangy sweetness to take center stage. I’ve put together a distinctly summertime drink recipe that’s as simple as it is delicious. I’ve left the template loose to accommodate a variety of tastes.
(Continued below the fold...)
1) In a rocks-sized glass pour a shot or two (depending on your fortitude) of unflavored vodka or gin over ice.
2) Pour in either seltzer or tonic water (you know which you prefer) leaving a half an inch or so to the lip of the glass.
3) Add the juice a few Clementines (their small size makes them very easy to juice by hand if you don’t own a juicing tray).
4) Cut out a wedge of lime and lightly squeeze in.
5) Give it a quick stir and you’re almost ready to go.
6) For garnish, use the lime wedge or, if you’re like me, and you need to find a fun use for the last of the sweet Thai basil before it completely turns, just clip off a sprig and plop it in.
Obviously there’s plenty of room for tweaking this recipe, and finding different ways to present the wonderful taste of these petite treasures is half the fun.
