The extent to which the mustang has influenced American culture seems endless – we were surprised to find not one, but two cocktails and a grape varietal bearing their name! Enjoy these refreshing drinks responsibly…yes, you can get a DUI riding while intoxicated.
Wild Mustang by Wild Turkey Bourbon
Wild Mustang
(Courtesy of Wild Turkey Bourbon and Bar None Drinks)
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3 oz. Wild Turkey American Honey
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6 oz. Grapefruit Juice
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2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
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1 Sprig Rosemary
Instructions: Combine American Honey, grapefruit juice and bitters in a tumbler with ice and stir. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Garnish with the sprig of Rosemary.
Mustang Martini by Blue Valley Spirits
Mustang Martini
(Courtesy of the Blue Valley Spirits Brewstillery in Kremmling, CO! If you’re lucky enough to live in an area that sells BVS Vodka, enjoy; otherwise, substitute with the locally produced vodka of your choice.)
3 OZ BVS (or local) Vodka
1 1/2 OZ lemon lavender syrup
10 drops lemon bitters
Ice
Instructions: Chill the martini glass first with ice cubes or stick in the freezer. In a shaker, combine vodka, lemon syrup, and bitters, add ice and shake. Strain into the chilled martini glass and top with soda water. Garnish with lemon peel and enjoy.
Image by Womack Nursery
Mustang Grapes
The mustang has even permeated agriculture! Native to the southern US (including parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma), the Mustang grape (Vitis mustangensis) is not a grape you want to pluck off the vine and pop straight into your mouth; many sites have indicated that it might be a rude awakening due to its extremely sour taste from the high acid content.
Even though it’s not the best for snacking, apparently it makes for a decent wine and even grape jelly! But you will need lots of sugar, and some help from Wes Adams (a professor of Kinesiology and the author of Common Edible and Medicinal Plants of Texas) and Renée Nolte (of YouTube’s Zen In the Kitchen).
Not the DIY type? Local-made jellies are available to purchase from TexasFoods.com, and Texas residents can purchase the wine from Texas Star Winery – unfortunately no shipping outside the state, so add it to your list for a visit.
Salud!
