Crescent Simple Syrups:
The Go To Item to Up Your Home Cocktail Game
I’ll admit, I was missing out on Crescent Simples until someone let me know about them on Instagram and I’m so glad they did. These are a great way to dress up a cocktail (or a mocktail) at home.
Crescent Simples are the creation of husband and wife team Megan Thomas and Bill Miller. You can learn about the idea behind Crescent Simples on their website. Though based out of Richmond, VA Megan hails from Charlottesville and these simple syrups can be found in and around town. I got mine at the Blue Ridge Country Store.
They currently offer eight flavors to choose from. I bought two flavors from the Blue Ridge Country Store, Lime Jalapeno and Strawberry Basil, and I’m excited to try more. I loved how they also had recipe cards available for cocktails to make with each flavor but the Crescent Simples blog and their Instagram are two other great resources for inspiration. Once open the syrups last for up to 30 days in the refrigerator.
I decided to make two cocktails, one using the recipe card I picked up from the store and another from their website.
Crescent Simples Jalapeno Lime Mule
2 oz vodka (I used a local vodka – keep reading for more on that!)
0.5 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
0.5 oz Lime Jalapeno Crescent Simples
Top with ginger beer
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add in your vodka, lime juice and syrup and shake it all up until the shaker is nice and frosted (my dog Ollie loves ice and loses his mind when I do this – a lot of barking ensues). After it’s all shaken, pour into a copper cup with ice and top it all off with ginger beer. I chose to garnish mine with lime wedges, jalapeno slices and candied ginger.
I loved this cocktail. It was off of the recipe card and I enjoyed the fact that the syrup added a little more heat to the mix and cut through the sweetness a bit. I would definitely make this for guests while hosting a brunch.
Mezcal Margarita with Crescent Simples
2 oz mezcal
1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
0.5 oz Lime Jalapeno Crescent Simples
0.5 oz Strawberry Basil Crescent Simples
0.25 oz orange liqueur
First things first – my favorite part of a margarita: the salt rim. Fill a plate with salt before rimming rocks glass with a lime wedge so the salt will stick. You’ll dip the glass in the plate and line it with as much or as little salt as you desire. Full disclosure – mine is usually a salt bomb.
Next you’ll add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker full of ice and then shake until you see that nice frost on the outside. Strain the mix into the rocks glass and then add ice. Then I garnished mine with a basil leaf, some strawberry, and some jalapeno.
I really liked this one as well. I got this off their website here. I’m a fan of mezcal and I thought the Strawberry Basil syrup added a nice sweetness to the tart and spicy margarita. I think this would be a fun drink to serve for a summer cookout with friends (because who isn’t already dreaming of summer?).
About that Vodka
For the Mule, I used vodka from Silverback Distillery. Located in Afton, this distillery is a mother/daughter operation and very pet friendly (Ollie loves it – you can read about Ollie’s adventures in Cville). If you are visiting from out of town it’s a good spot because it is located near a lot of wineries and breweries. You could book a Hop on Tour and make a day of it. If you are a local it’s a nice place to take a pretty drive out to for a tasting or a cocktail. I personally like their vodka because you can tell it’s good quality, as it tastes good in a Classic Martini as well. That is always my test; I feel like a bad vodka will punch you in the face with that cocktail but this one is nice and smooth. Silverback is definitely a spot worth checking out!
All in all, I am excited to keep making cocktails/mocktails with these syrups, as well as try their other flavors. If you are interested in trying some Crescent Simples, check them out here.
Cheers and happy eating (or, in this case, drinking)
