Raspberry Rosewater Gin Rickey

Valentine's Day recipes seem to be quite abundant these days!  Valentine's Day at my house usually involves some champagne, me dropping some heavy hints that somebody had better not come home empty handed, and a home-cooked meal.

This year, I thought it would be nice to include a recipe for a Valentine's Day worthy cocktail.  Raspberries are my favorite of all the berries, they scream Valentine's Day, and if you have had a look at my Happy Hour section of this blog, you can tell that I am kind of obsessed with raspberry cocktails!   So basically, it had to be a raspberry cocktail.

This gin rickey is infused with raspberries, lime juice and a subtle touch of rose water.  Then, it is topped up with club soda.  It is sweet, tart, citrussy, fizzy and has an ever so slight floral flavor.  I think it is one of my favorite cocktails I've ever made!

This is the first time I've ever used rosewater (although you can be sure it will be showing up in future posts).  I was quite surprised at how well the floral flavor complimented the raspberry.  They don't necessarily sound like they are going to go together, but trust me!  They do!  And don't worry, the flavor is certainly not an overpowering floral flavor.

I found my rosewater in the ethnic foods section at the Canadian Superstore.  Apparently it is fairly easy to find at Middle Eastern supermarkets.  Also, you can make your own rosewater using rose petals, although you need to make sure that there are no chemicals applied to your rose petals before doing so.

If you absolutely cannot find rose water, it's going to be okay.  You can still make this cocktail!  Raspberry + lime juice + gin is just a winning combination.  The citrusy flavors of the gin and the lime juice pair perfectly with the raspberries.  The rose water gives it extra pizazz for sure, but the cocktail will still work without it.

Raspberry Rosewater Gin Rickey (makes 3-4 drinks)

• 2/3 cup gin
• 1/3 cup lime juice
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp rosewater
• 2 cups fresh raspberries
• club soda
• ice

Recipe adapted slightly from Bon Appetit

In a small bowl, combine gin, lime juice, sugar and rosewater.  Mix until sugar is mostly dissolved.  Add raspberries, and smush against the side of the bowl to release the juices.  Let mixture sit for an hour, occasionally smushing the raspberries.

Prior to serving, strain the raspberry/gin mixture into a new bowl, pressing the raspberry bits and pieces against a sieve to release as much liquid as you can.  Fill a glass with ice, then fill half way with raspberry/gin mixture.  Top with club soda.  Enjoy!

Note: I am not so picky about raspberry bits and pieces, and didn't mind them so much.  I you want a perfect, beautiful cocktail, go for the straining.  But the cocktail tastes great even if you don't.

Also, I left my raspberries/gin for probably closer to 3 hours and it was great.