The Lush Chef

Memorial Day weekend was finally bringing out multiple sunny, warm days (about time, LA!) and a friend of mine invited me for drinks on a Sunday night.  He and I were experiencing a little bit of Cannes envy after seeing all of our friends' Facebook posts about awesome films and Instagram shots from the south of France.  Le sigh.  So our mission on this warm almost-summer evening was to concoct some French cocktails.  We're both huge fans of bourbon and whiskey, so French 75's were out of the question (although we did make French 95's - thank you Hatfield's).  It was time to get creative and bust out the champagne and St. Germain and see what we could mix up.  I ran across this recipe for a Summer Rye cocktail on St. Germain website and yes, it looked perfect for summer what with all the fruit juices and champers thrown in.  Mom will be so proud that you're getting your fruit for the day.  These drinks go down smooth, so watch yourself...ooh, la, la!

Summer Rye Cocktail
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz rye whiskey
• 3/4 oz St. Germain
• 1/4 oz simple syrup
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 1 oz apple juice (make sure it's the fresh pressed, cloudy kind)
• 3/4 oz champagne
• Cubed apples for garnish

- Add the whiskey, St. Germain, simple syrup, lemon and apple juices in a mixing glass with ice and shake.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
- Top with champagne and garnish with 2 or 3 cubes of apple.