Veggies Are the Secret Ingredient Your Cocktail Is Missing

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This recipe looks healthy, but tastes divine.

I love serving a specialty sneeky, even when a neighbor is just stopping by. It makes it seem like you went the extra mile! This arugula cocktail is green, so it looks healthy, but it's soooo delicious.

Arugula Sneeky

Serves 2

  • 4 ounces gin, vodka or tequila
  • 1 ounces fresh lemon juice
  • 2 ounces fresh cucumber juice
  • 1 ounces herb simple syrup, plus more to taste (recipe below)
  • ¼ cup fresh arugula leaves

Fill a shaker halfway with ice. Add all ingredients and shake-shake-shake, then strain into two glasses over ice. Garnish with slices of cucumber and rosemary sprigs.

Herb Simple Syrup

  • ½ cup each of fresh rosemary, mint and basil leaves
  • ¾ cup agave syrup
  • ¾ cup boiling water

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stir, cover and let stand for an hour. Strain syrup into a glass container and store in the refrigerator. It's also great drizzled on top of fruit, or for sweetening iced tea or lemonade.

This story originally appeared in the May 2017 issue of House Beautiful.

 

Lulu's ruby slipper

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For New Year's Eve I like to serve a creative cocktail when guests walk through the door and pour pure sparkling wine for the countdown. RUBY SLIPPER

2 oz. sparkling wine 21/2 oz. cranberry-flavored vodka 11/2 oz. ruby port 1 oz. lemon or lime juice 1/2 oz. simple syrup

Shake with ice, strain, and garnish with orange slice