Daydreaming
Ruling House: Fourth
Ruling Planet: The Moon
Symbol: The Crab
Dates: June 21 - July 22
Element: Water
ABOUT
Imaginative, intuitive, and at many times psychic, Cancers are often considered one of the most difficult signs to get to know. While they may seem standoffish at first, once they open up to you, you’ll have a friend for life.
Represented by the Crab, Cancers are both highly sensitive to their environments and extremely self-protective. They hate small-talk and at many times social gatherings can be overwhelming. Homebodies at heart, they take deep comfort in anything related to home, family and self-care.
Ruled by the Moon, Cancers are the true empaths of the zodiac. It’s said that they wear their heart on their sleeves and that their emotions are like an exposed nerve — they can feel everything. Cancers make some of the best friends because of their loyalty, commitment, and emotional depth.
The best way to describe this cocktail is summer in a glass. It includes some of my favorite flavors: from watermelon to St. Germain. It’s the ultimate summertime spritz.
What sets this cocktail apart is the watermelon shrub which is really easy to make. Made with 2 parts fresh watermelon juice, one part rich cane sugar syrup, and one apple cider vinegar, this shrub can be prepared overnight to use the next day.
Before I juice my watermelon, I always like to prepare my syrup so that it’s cool by the time I add it to the rest of the ingredients. While simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water, a rich syrup is typically 2 parts sugar and 1 part water. Sometime I’ll opt for a ratio of 1.5 parts sugar and 1 part water. No need to purchase a sugar syrup from the store because you can make it right at home. Just add the sugar and water to a saucepan and let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat once the 5 minutes have elapsed.
I’ve found that the best way to juice a watermelon is to dice it up and add it to a blender. Once it’s been completely blended, strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer a few times to remove the pulp. If you’d like as little pulp as possible, you can even strain the juice through coffee filters. While this may take longer, you’ll have crystal clear watermelon juice to use.
Once you have your fresh watermelon juice, you can add it to a clean glass container with the rich cane sugar syrup and apple cider vinegar. Give it a good shake and let it refrigerate overnight. Your shrub should be ready to use the next day.
If you notice that the watermelon has separated from the other ingredients, don’t panic. It’s completely normal. Just give it a good shake before serving.
What I love most about this cocktail is that you don’t need to add it to a cocktail shaker. You can build it in the glass. Just fill a red wine glass with ice and add the ingredients in the following order: St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, watermelon shrub, sparkling rosé, and club soda. Give it a gentle stir to evenly mix your drink and you’re all set.
This drink is served in a red wine glass. Garnish with a watermelon slice and edible flowers.
Notable Geminis: Solange Knowles, Ariana Grande, Jaden Smith, Meryl Streep, Missy Elliott, Post Malone, Forest Whitaker, Margot Robbie, Cyndi Lauper, Fantasia Barrino, Tia and Tamara Mowry, Sandra Oh, Vin Diesel, Sofia Vergara, and Harrison Ford.
Recipe Type: Cocktails
Glassware: Red Wine
Servings: 1
INGREDIENTS
2 oz. watermelon shrub
1 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
3 oz. sparkling rosé
1 oz. club soda
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare watermelon shrub by adding two parts fresh watermelon juice, one part rich cane sugar syrup (2 parts cane sugar and 1 part water), and one part apple cider vinegar to a clean glass container
Give a good shake and let refrigerate overnight
Fill a red wine glass with ice and add ingredients in the following order: St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, watermelon shrub, sparkling rosé, and club soda
Gently stir
Garnish with a watermelon slice edible flowers
Enjoy