Negroni

1 fluid ounce gin
1 fluid ounce campari
1 fluid ounce sweet vermouth
1 twist lemon zest

A potent concoction, this mixture of Campari, gin and sweet vermouth doesn't waste time on mixers (except the lemon zest). This is the sort of high-grade mixture of booze and more booze is the sort of thing Don Draper probably drinks on his days off (or in the office for that matter). And yes, you can grow dwarf lemon trees hydroponically!

Piña Colada

1/2 cup crushed ice
6 fluid ounces pineapple juice
2 fluid ounces rum
1 fluid ounce coconut cream
1 fluid ounce heavy cream
1 pineapple wedge
1 maraschino cherry

The very opposite of the all-spirits Negroni, the classic pina colada is so sweet and creamy, it is a delicious drink even without the booze. Make a couple of virgin ones for the kids, and pour yourself some extra rum in the adult version. Best of all, you can pluck pineapples from your hydroponic garden all year round.

Watermelon Slush

4 cups watermelon flesh, seeds removed
2 fluid ounces simple syrup
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup vodka
2 fluid ounces melon liqueur
4 twists lemon zest, garnish

Probably the largest fruit you can grow hydroponically, the watermelon is a summer staple. Grow too much to eat on your own? Make these delicious slushies with the extra slices (minus the skin and seeds please). Another fun summer game is to slice up cubes of watermelon, soak in vodka overnight, and eat it like a snack.

Apricot Mint Mojito

2 fresh apricots, puréed
1 tsp lime juice
1/2 tsp sugar
2 ice cubes or crushed ice
1 mint leaf
1 fluid ounce white rum

Not only is this a delicious drink, you can make a non-alcoholic version to share with your kids by leaving out the rum, and you still end up with something tasty. It’s even better with your homegrown hydroponic mint leaves as a key ingredient. Blend all the yummy stuff together and enjoy your summer.

Virgin Strawberry Colada

10 fresh strawberries
5 fluid ounces pineapple juice
1 ½ fluid ounces coconut cream (or 1 oz coconut milk)
1 cup crushed ice

This one is for you teetotalers out there, or for those of you entertaining teetotaler friends. Of course, you can always add booze to your liking as well. Just blend these goodies all up and enjoy a drink so girlie that only the super macho are confident enough in their manhood to down it (editor’s note: this is my favorite recipe of the bunch).

Follow Us:

Why doesn’t the USDA understand? Get the connection between hydroponics and organics here.

Looking to save money on 3-part hydroponics nutrients? Find out how – read this.

What’s the deal with alternative lighting? We’ll tell you – click here.

Follow Rosebud Magazine on Twitter - click here.

© Copyright RosebudMag.com, 2011