Summer drinks: Adam Harness' Violette Crush

courtesy of Adam Harness

This summer, nothing is more important than getting your relax on. With this in mind, we have been checking in with local mixmasters to find drink recipes that are sparkling fresh, luscious, and make you look like a pro.

Adam Harness, who is constantly kicking ass behind the bar of Town Talk Diner, shares a recipe he created just for you.

Using Creme De Violette, made from violet blossoms (no, it does not taste like your grandma's purse), and mangosteen juice. Mangosteens are one of the most delicious tropical fruits. Their lush flavor gives this drink a fullness that does not overpower the other ingredients. Also, mangosteens are thought to have many health benefits, including being an aid to weight loss. You can lose weight, be healthy, and enjoy cocktail-o'clock simultaneously. Win.

A bottle of Creme De Violette will run about $20 to $25 but will last quite a while since most recipes only need a splash.  It is aso delicous in champagne, and in the Aviation, the cocktail Metro calls "the thinking woman's cosmo."

Mangosteen juice is available at most Asian markets (89 cents a can at

Dragon Star).

Adam Harness' Violette Crush

2 oz Martin Millers (or any softer variety of gin)
3/4 oz mangosteen juice
1/2 oz Creme de Violette
squeeze of a lemon slice
2 dashes of orange bitters.
seltzer

Shake all ingredients, excluding the seltzer, in an ice-filled shaker and strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with seltzer and garnish with your lemon slice.

And just because Adam is so generous, he also shared an another summer fave with us.

The Water Tight

watermelon juice
2 oz. rum, or to taste
squeeze of a lemon slice
basil
top with sparkling wine

Shake ingredients, excluding sparkling wine and basi,l in an ice-filled shaker. Strain into a chilled glass, top with sparkling wine and garnish with basil. If you like a stronger basil flavor, muddle the basil in the shaker before adding the other ingredients.