The Bootleg Cocktail

By vealam

Ingredients

• Bootleg Mix:
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 large lemons, juiced)
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (4 to 5 small limes, juiced) or additional lemon juice
• 1/4 cup light agave nectar or cane sugar or honey*
• 2 packed tablespoons fresh mint leaves
• Per drink (note: 2 ounces is 1/4 cup):
• 2 ounces bootleg mix
• 2 ounces gin, vodka or bourbon
• 2 ounces club soda

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 10mins
Adapted from cookieandkate.com

Preparation

Step 1

To make the bootleg mix: Juice the lemons and limes into a liquid measuring cup. Add sweetener. Pour the juice and sweetener into a blender. Add 2 firmly packed tablespoons of fresh mint leaves. Blend thoroughly, until the mint is is broken into teeny tiny bits.
To make the drinks: Fill cocktail glasses with ice. For each drink, pour in 2 ounces of your bootleg mix, plus 2 ounces of your liquor of choice and top with 2 ounces club soda. Serve with a straw, which doubles as a stirring device.

NOTES
Recipe inspired by Brit's Pub in Minneapolis. Recipe created with guidance from The Bootleg: Minnesota's signature country-club cocktail on City Pages.
*I ran out of agave nectar as I was making these drinks, so I used 2 tablespoons agave nectar and 2 tablespoons cane sugar. You could also use honey, but your drinks will have a strong honey flavor. I preferred a more neutral sweetener here.
STORAGE TIP: The bootleg mix will keep for a couple of days in the refrigerator, but is best served immediately.