The Gardenia
For eleven years, I had the honor of being a member of a mother-daughter service organization called National Charity League. Each of my girls started when they were going into seventh grade and continued all the way through the senior year of high school. After many years of serving their community, learning leadership skills with their class and making many friends, their time with NCL came to an end. To celebrate their six years, the chapter celebrated them with a Senior Recognition where the families of the seniors were invited to a formal event highlighting their accomplishments and dedication to the community. It was a tradition that each senior girl wore a long, white gown (you can see both of my daughters in theirs below!) and their parents’ walked them in to the event. Each girl looked absolutely stunning in their white gowns, in fact, everyone at the event looked fabulous – moms, dads, brothers, and sisters!
While all of the graduating seniors were having their professional pictures taken, the other guests were enjoying a cocktail hour. In honor of our chapter being called the “Gardenia” chapter, the event facility had decided to serve a drink representing us and rightfully called it “The Gardenia.” It was amazing! I knew I had to try my take on this drink! With the perfect amounts of vodka, triple sec, strawberry white cranberry juice, grenadine, and fresh lime, I had made a refreshing and tasty drink that reminded me of my many years in NCL. Since it sometimes seems to be difficult to find white cranberry juice, I use the strawberry white cranberry juice because it gives the drink a hint of sweetness. I also decided to add grenadine because I wanted the drink to have a pink tint since we wore pink to all of our volunteer events! As for the event, there was a delicious dinner, a DJ, and dancing! It was definitely a memorable, fun evening to end the girls’ senior year of high school before going off to college later that year. Lucky for me, I got to have two seniors participate in two of these events!
1 oz. Vodka
A few splashes of Triple Sec
3 oz. Strawberry White Cranberry juice
A Splash of grenadine
A squeeze of a fresh lime juice
Maraschino cherry (optional)
Slice of lime (optional)
In a cocktail glass, combine the vodka, triple sec, strawberry white cranberry juice, grenadine, and the lime juice. Stir until combined with a spoon. Serve over ice. Top with a maraschino cherry and garnish with a lime slice, Serve immediately.
The Gardenia
Ingredients
- 1 oz. Vodka
- A few splashes of Triple Sec
- 3 oz. Strawberry White Cranberry Juice
- A splash of grenadine
- Maraschino Cherry (optional)
- Lime slice (optional)
Instructions
- In a cocktail glass, combine the vodka, triple sec, strawberry white cranberry juice, grenadine, and the lime juice.
- Stir until combined with a spoon.
- Serve over ice.
- Top with a maraschino cherry and garnish with a lime slice.
- Serve immediately.