104 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • SEPTEMBER 2021
MAIN DISH
VERDE KITCHEN AND COCKTAILS KEEPIN’ IT FRESH
BY CJ ARLOTTA
Keeping a specialty cocktail on the menu for years
says something about the drink — it’s clearly a customer
favorite (in addition to its being profitable).
But what makes a cocktail a customer favorite? It’s
hard to pinpoint a single factor, but freshly squeezed
ingredients are usually involved.
“This cocktail has been on the menu since we opened
in 2014,” says Ian Soukup, bar manager at Verde
Kitchen and Cocktails, a Mexican restaurant located
in Bay Shore, N.Y., known for making all its margaritas
with 100 percent Blue Weber Agave Tequila,
organic agave, and fresh-squeezed citrus. “When
we opened, we wanted to showcase that we were
using fresh seasonal ingredients and homemade
infusions.”
Verde’s spicy watermelon margarita is made up of
pepper-infused tequila, fresh watermelon juice,
fresh-squeezed lime juice, triple sec, and agave
syrup. It’s garnished with salt and a jalapeño slice.
“We wanted to pair the sweetness of fresh watermelon
juice with our house-infused pepper tequila,”
Soukup says. “The watermelon really helps balance
the cocktail and allow all of the flavors to be highlighted
without being overpowered by heat.”
To make the cocktail, add all the ingredients in a
cocktail shaker over ice. Cap and shake vigorously
for about 10 seconds. Then pour the tin’s contents
into a salt-rimmed cocktail glass. Garnish with a
jalapeño slice.
“The most challenging aspect is waiting for the
infusion to finish and taking the time to squeeze
the juice from the limes, but I assure you that if you
use fresh juice, your hard work will be rewarded,”
he says.
He describes the cocktail as, “Summertime in a
glass, especially when we are in peak watermelon
season.”
“It stands out as a great intro for someone wanting
to try spicy cocktails,” he says.
Verde Kitchen and Cocktails is located at 70 E. Main
St., Bay Shore. It can be reached at 631- 665-6300.
verdekitchen.com
Verde’s spicy watermelon margarita.
Every day in NYS
up to 50,000 cars
unlawfully pass
stopped school buses*
Source: NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee
STOP FOR THE SCHOOL BUS.
IT’S NEW YORK STATE LAW.
Suffolk County is keeping our students safe
by equipping school buses with automated
enforcement technology. Endangering children
by unlawfully passing a stopped school bus
will lead to a violation.
For more info visit suffolkcountyny.gov/schoolbus
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