One of the best things about having a home garden is that I can grow things that are kind of hard to find in the market. Take gooseberries, for example. They're easy to grow, slightly harder to pick because they have huge thorns, and a total treasure in my yard. Those huge thorns help to keep birds and critters from stealing my bounty... like they did with my cherries this year, grrrrrrrrr...
I picked about 5 cups of gooseberries off of one of my bushes. A while bowl full of tart, delicious potential. So, on a hot summer's night, I decided to make a cool, refreshing drink: a gooseberry gin fizz. If you are lucky enough to find gooseberries in the store, it's likely that they won't be sold in huge quantities, and this recipe is perfect for small amounts. And if you're lucky enough to find gooseberries at the farmers market, buy whatever you can handle! You can make jam, tarts, pies...
But back to the cocktail:
First, take 6-8 gooseberries, slice then in half, and middle them in a mixer or mason jar with 2-3 teaspoons of sugar. If your gooseberries are sweet, dial back on the sugar, if they're tart, dial it up.
Add 2 ounces of your favorite gin and one egg white to the mixer.
Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds. It should be getting frothy. Then add a handful of ice and shake for a while more.
Strain into a glass, then top it with a splash of club soda. Just for kicks, slice partway through a couple of gooseberries and use them to garnish the rim of the glass.
The gooseberries bring their unique flavor and tartness to the drink, while the egg white lends a smooth creaminess that takes the edge off of the gin. It's a delightful way to end a hot day, or to kick off a hot afternoon!
Cheers to summer!
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