{Cocktail} The Shucks Deluxe

It almost slipped through my fingers. Gone. The last week or so has been met with a chorus for change. Out with summer, in with autumn. After a summer filled with glorious weather and bright streaming sunshine, the first crack of fall sent a cool breeze and soft morning light into our lives. And then it came again. And again.

Fall was at our doorstep, and it was pushing summer into the rear view mirror. Like many people, I was waiting with open arms. Anticipating the new colours, cooler temperatures and an evening by the fireplace. Not so fast. Not yet. Temperatures that mimic mid-July have crept right back in and have caused the love affair for fall to be put on hiatus. For a short while.

The mornings have been starting off like most mid-September mornings do. Soft and cool light dancing its way through our bedroom window and across the sheets that drape over us. The trees out back are covered with a light shade that disappears as morning rolls on. And I lay in bed a bit longer than usual, or just until that light starts to make its way up onto my wife's delicate skin.

After I pry myself from the comfort of warm sheets and a soft landing, I tip toe into the bathroom and slide open the window. It's there that I feel the first breeze of the day and lay witness to the subtle changes in the leaves out back. It's also where I spy on my wife still asleep. A beautiful calm sleep.

The last few days the temperatures have quickly risen as soon as I stepped clear of the house. And, by midday, the sun's rays are hotter than they have been in weeks. That's perfectly fine by me because it gives me a bit more time to establish long lasting summer memories. And recipes. Like this.

We were hanging around the house the other day and enjoying the unexpected heat. Although summer hasn't officially ended, I had all but given up hope that we would see her shine bright again. Thankfully I was wrong. It was hot and bright and perfect.

So we sat outside with the heat splashing against our faces and I figured it would be the perfect time to make a last ditch summer cocktail to cool us down. It was only fitting. I disappeared inside for a bit and came out with this beautiful splash of life.

Recently I've started seeing the fruit stands spraying up alongside the rural roads that litter the outside areas of the city. On the shelves are freshly picked Ontario peaches and fresh herbs from the gardens out back. There's an envelope out front and pricing attached. So I grabbed some fresh rosemary and a bucket of peaches and dropped my money in the empty envelope. Right away I had this drink in my mind.

We spent the last of the daylight hours enjoying a drink and reminiscing about the beautiful summer that was. That is. It had almost slipped through my fingers. Gone. But for a brief moment, it came back again. And again.

From my kitchen to yours, happy drinking!



THE SHUCKS DELUXE

Ingredients:

• 4 large peaches, pits removed and cut in half
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tbsp. lime juice
• 3 ounces vodka
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 cup sprite
• 4 slices of peaches, garnish
• 2 rosemary sprigs, garnish

Prep:

1. Using a food processor, add in the 4 peaches (pits removed), sugar and lime juice. Pulse until pureed. Pour the contents into a fine sieve over a bowl to catch the nectar. Using the back of a spoon, push through all the nectar you can and toss the bits that don't make it through.
2. [To make Rosemary Simple Syrup] Combine 2 cups of water, 2 cups of sugar, 3 tbsp. corn syrup and 1/4 cup rosemary leaves in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and rest for 20 minutes. Strain into a glass and refrigerate until chilled.
3. Using a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add in vodka, lime juice, honey, 2 tbsp. rosemary simple syrup, 4 tbsp. peach nectar and shake. Pour into two cocktail glasses filled with ice and top with Sprite and a splash of water. Garnish with two peach slices per drink and a rosemary sprig.
4. Serves 2.