Random Aesthetic Loveliness of the Day: Cocktail Brilliance via Food2

Two beautiful new cocktail jewels via Food2...

Summer Soltice Sake Sparkler
Prep Time: 5 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Yield: 1 drink

Ingredients
1 fresh basil leaf, chopped
6 fresh mint leaves
2 lemon twists
2 orange wedges
1/4 English cucumber, seeded and diced, very cold
1 1/2 ounces orange flavored liqueur (recommended: Cointreau)
Ice cubes
250 ml bottle sparkling sake
Directions
Put the basil, mint, lemon, orange, cucumber, and orange liqueur in a cocktail shaker. Add the ice, cover, and shake vigorously, or stir, until combined and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, the drink is ready when the shaker mists up.) Pour into a chilled Collins glass and top with the sparkling sake. Drop in a pair of chopsticks to pick out the cucumber and oranges, if desired. Drink.

Easy Mellow Melon Margarita
Prep Time: 5 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Yield: serves 1 - 2

Ingredients
1-1/2 oz. Patron Silver tequila
1 oz. fresh lime juice, freshly squeezed
1 oz. orange juice
1 Tbs. agave nectar
5 watermelon cubes
1 small watermelon wedge
Directions
Here's a cocktail my good friend Tom Drelles discovered on one of his many spiritual journeys.

Muddle the watermelon cubes in the bottom of a shaker glass. Add ice, Patron, lime juice, orange juice and agave syrup. Give it a good shake for approximately 10 seconds. Strain and pour into large rocks glass. Garnish with a watermelon wedge.

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There's also a Peach Cobbler cocktail on the same page that could also be a lustrous prospect. Elsewhere I was intrigued this morning by a RareDaily Miami mention of RA Sushi's "Wonderland Mojito"—white rum, blueberry purée, triple sec, 7up (they say "lemon-lime soda," but there's ONLY one!!!), + fresh blueberries. Dig! xo, B.