Ocean Prime’s new Watermelon Elyx cocktail features a delicious mix of Absolut Elyx vodka, Uncle Val’s Gin, juicy watermelon, fresh basil, lime and hints of Hella Ginger Bitters.

The cocktail was created from a store-wide challenge to create a unique cocktail using Absolut Elyx, bringing its dedicated and hardworking associates across the country into the beverage creation process. Each Ocean Prime restaurant selected a bartender to attend the competition held in Columbus, Ohio, homebase of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, where they created a cocktail that would be presented and then judged by Beverage Operations Manager Andrea Hoover, and a panel of CMR leadership. The winning cocktail, judged on a series of criteria, was the Watermelon Elyx Cocktail, which would then be launched on all Ocean Prime menus across the country.

Garnish: 3 Small Watermelon Balls on Prism Pick

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz. Absolut Elyx
• ½ oz. Uncle Val’s Gin
• 1 oz. Basil Simple Syrup
• ½ oz. Watermelon Purée
• ½ oz. Fresh-squeezed Lime Juice
• 5-6 Dashes Hella Ginger Bitters

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in mixing glass.
2. Add ice to mixing tin.
3. Shake vigorously to chill.
4. Strain half of the cocktail into service glass and half into glass carafe.
5. Place glass carafe atop crushed ice in copper vessel.

Basil Simple Syrup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ C. Basil Leaves
• 1 Q Water
• 1 Q Sugar

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in medium saucepan.
2. Over medium heat, bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Strain mixture through chinois.
5. Label and date.

Watermelon Purée

1. Remove garnishes from watermelon.
2. Place remainder of melon in blender.
3. Blend thoroughly.
4. Strain through chinois.
5. Label and date.