Salty Lime Soda from Summer Cocktails

Summer is just around the corner and I can’t wait for all the delicious summer produce. I’m mostly looking forward to peaches, apricots, and corn. When summer arrives, I will have many summer cocktail recipes to try from the new book Summer Cocktails by Maria del Mar Sacasa. The book also has cocktail bites recipes like scallop ceviche, pickled shrimp, and peanut masala.

I love cocktails, but I always stick to some basic ones: bourbon side cars, gin & tonics, & anything with sparkling wine. I’m ready to explore new cocktails with new flavors. The recipe below, for Salty Lime Soda is perfect  for right now. It’s salty and smoky, and addicting. You can find curry and Makrut lime leaves at ethnic grocery stores, sometimes they are in the frozen goods section in little plastic bags. I actually used dry curry leaves because I had some in the pantry. However, I do have a small Makrut lime tree and I used fresh leaves from my tree. This was a bit too salty for my taste, and I used half the amount of salt called for in the recipe for my second batch which was just perfect.

I hope you try it and let me know what you think. What are some of your favorite summer cocktails?

Ingredients:

• 6 fresh curry leaves
• 2 Makrut lime leaves, cut into thin ribbons
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 fresh lime juice
• 2 ounces white rum (I used my favorite dark rum instead)
• ice cubes
• 1/4 cup club soda, chilled

Toast curry leaves in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and dry, shaking pan often, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a shaker. Add lime leaves, sugar, and salt and muddle. Add lime juice, rum, and ice and shake vigorously. Strain into an ice-filled glass and top with club soda. Serve.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Summer Cocktails for review purposes. I was not compensated for writing this post. All views are my own.