it suddenly dawned on me that while i had taken the time to blog about the SQUARE ONE SQUARE OFF COMPETITON, i had failed to announce the outcome! shame on me : (

1st place ESPANOLA SOUR by Ronaldo Colli:
* 1 ounce lemon juice
* 1 sprig lemon basil leaves (about 4 leaves)
* 3 teaspoons orange marmalade
* Agave nectar, to taste
* 2 ounces Square One® Organic Vodka
* Ice
* 1 burnt orange zest, for garnish
* 1 slice lemon, for garnish
* 1 lemon basil branch with leaves removed (except top 2), for garnish

also 1st place: HUGGING THYME by Ronaldo Colli:

* 4 thyme sprigs, toasted in a pan
* 2 teaspoons dry chamomile tea leaves
* Lemon juice of 3/4 lemon
* 3/4 ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur
* 1 egg white
* 2 ounces Square One® Organic Vodka
* Agave nectar, if necessary
* Ice
* Lemon twist, for garnish
* Thyme sprig, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a pint glass, muddle thyme, chamomile, and lemon juice, then add elderflower liqueur, egg white, vodka, and (if necessary) agave nectar. Add ice, shake, and fine-strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twisted around thyme.

2nd place: THE CONCORD FIZZ By Abigail Gullo
This one reminded me of summers at my grandma and grandpa’s farm. I love the grapy taste of Concords, and the basil added a very pleasant herby flavor. The color is gorgeous! If you don’t have lemon basil, Thai basil, lemon thyme, or lemon verbena is also great in this drink.

* 1 bunch lemon basil
* 4 ounces Concord grapes (a handful)
* 2 ounces raspberries
* Squeeze of lemon
* 2 ounces Square One® Organic Vodka
* 1/2 ounce maraschino liquor
* Ice
* 2 ounces (or as needed) cava or other sparkling wine
* 1 sprig lemon basil, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Muddle basil, grapes, and raspberries; add lemon juice, vodka, and maraschino liquor; and shake with ice. Strain into a collins glass filled with cracked ice, and top off with cava. Garnish with a sprig of lemon basil.

also 2nd place: THE DUET OF PEARS-TINI By Abigail Gullo

INGREDIENTS

* 1/2 teaspoon lavender, ground with a mortar and pestle
* Seeds from 1/2 vanilla bean pod
* 1 ounce Marshall pear, juiced or muddled
* 1 ounce puréed Prickly pear
* 2 ounces Square One® Organic Vodka
* 1/2 ounce Cointreau
* Ice
* Caramelized sugar, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Muddle lavender and vanilla with pears, add vodka and Cointreau, and shake with ice. Strain into a caramelized-sugar-rimmed martini glass.
2. To garnish the rim, heat natural cane sugar in a small saucepan (do not use a nonstick pan) over low heat. Add a split vanilla bean if you like. When the sugar has browned, let it cool slightly and dip the martini glass in the pan to coat the rim. Note: If the glass is chilled before coating, it may break.

also By Ronaldo Colli, ROSE MARY

* 1/2 branch of organic rosemary
* 4 chunks of organic watermelon
* 1/2 ounce lime juice, fresh squeezed
* 3/4 ounce 43 liqueur
* 1 1/2 ounces Square One Organic Vodka
* Splash of agave nectar if necessary
* 3 lime wheels for garnish
* 1 long branch of rosemary, leaves peeled off beginning approximately two fingers from the top for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a pint glass, muddle rosemary and watermelon, add lime juice, 43 liqueur, Square One Organic Vodka, and ice. Shake and add agave nectar, if necessary. Then double strain (fine strain) into a chilled collins glass filled with ice and lime wheels, and finish garnishing with rosemary branch inside of the cocktail.

also by Abigail, THE FLYING PIG

INGREDIENTS

* 2 to 3 fresh organic figs
* 1/2 ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur
* 2 ounces Square One Organic Vodka
* 1 ounce fresh-squeezed organic lemon juice
* 1/2 ounce raw organic agave syrup to taste
* Fresh organic mint, leaf garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Muddle diced fig in the elderflower liqueur (reserve one slice for garnish). Add cracked ice, vodka, lemon juice, and agave syrup. Shake vigorously. Slap one mint leaf, rim and drop in chilled cocktail glass along with reserved fig slice. Strain cocktail into glass.

VIA CHOW