Enjoying cocktails doesn’t have to be an unhealthy experience. Nowadays mixologists find inspiration everywhere, and especially with people trying to take in the last few days of summer, people are more health conscious than ever. Using fruit as a cocktail base makes for a fun, fruity and colorful drink…and packs it full of vitamins! And for those of you who can’t get enough kiwi in your life, you’re in luck. Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit is a new kiwifruit varietal that tastes delicious — think of a cross between a mango and a strawberry. This type of kiwi packs a punch, too, with more than two times the amount of vitamin C as an orange and as much potassium as a banana! Clocking in at less than 100 calories per serving, kiwifruit is the new black this summer. Add it to any and everything and you won’t regret it.
To get you inspired, try out these delicious Zespri Kiwifruit cocktails. Labor Day Weekend is the perfect time to test them out!
Kiwifruit Cucumber Reviver
1 Zespri Green Kiwifruit, peeled and diced
5-6 Fresh mint sprigs
3 oz Cucumber water*
2 oz Plymouth gin (optional)
1 oz Fresh orange juice
1/2 oz Fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz Simple syrup
1 dash Angostura bitters
Cucumber and kiwifruit for garnish
Muddle kiwifruit and mint leaves in cocktail shaker. Add remaining ingredients, shake with ice. Strain into 2 chilled glasses. Garnish with kiwifruit and cucumber slice. *Cucumber Water Recipe: Process 2 cucumbers (one peeled, both seeded and diced) in blender until smooth, strain through a fine mesh strainer, reserve liquid, add a pinch of salt and pepper.
Irish Kiwifruit Fizz
1 Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit
1/4 lemon, sliced
1 oz (28.4 ml) simple syrup
2 1/2 oz (71 ml) Irish whiskey
2 oz (56.8 ml) club soda
Slice kiwifruit into halves and set aside one thin slice for garnish. Scoop remaining kiwifruit out with a spoon into a cocktail shaker. Add lemon and simple syrup and muddle to combine. Add Irish whiskey and shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with club soda. Garnish with the unpeeled kiwifruit slice.
Rum Kiwifruit Daisy
1 Zespri Green Kiwifruit
12 fresh mint leaves
2 lime wedges
1/2 oz (24.2 ml) honey syrup (1 part honey and 1 part water)
2 oz (56.8 ml) white rum
1 sprig of fresh mint for garnish
1 lime wedge for garnish
Slice kiwifruit in half and use a spoon to scoop out small pieces into a cocktail shaker. Add mint leaves, lime and honey syrup and muddle to combine. Add rum, and shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into 11 oz (312.5 ml) glass (either bucket or stem glass) filled half full with crushed ice. Stir briefly; then fill glass with crushed ice. Garnish with mint sprig and lime.
Twisted Talk: What’s your favorite fruit to incorporate into cocktails? Are you a fan of kiwifruit? Discuss below!
