Hot, sweet and bright. That’s a flawless summer day, and also the perfect summer cocktail. The clever folks at Beaker & Flask figured that out, and are serving it straight up. It’s called Grounded for Life, and comes from Kevin Ludwig, owner of the award-winning restaurant and bar located in the heart of Portland’s Distillery Row.

On a recent summer day, Ludwig showed us how to mix, shake and pour this signature cocktail using Mazama Infused Pepper Vodka from Bendistillery, fresh lime and celery juices, triple sec, and simple syrup served in a delicate glass with a salted rim (recipe below).

“It’s a nice, summery, refreshing drink,” he said. “People really respond to it.” Ludwig said the Mazama Vodka is a unique blend of five peppers, “including bell pepper, which really comes out on the nose.” The fresh celery juice offers just the right balance for the sweetness and heat as well as a lovely color. Bartender’s tip: Always make sure your juice and your ice are as fresh as possible.

Enjoy this bit of summer in a glass at Beaker & Flask’s 727 SE Washington St. location, or at its new bar (on the same site) called Rum Club, which will open in June.

Grounded for Life
2 oz. Mazama Pepper Vodka
¾ oz. triple sec (or Cointreau if you want to get fancy)
¾ oz. simple syrup
1 oz. lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1 oz. celery juice (freshly juiced)
Shake over ice and strain into a glass with a salted rim. (And use a pretty glass; it’s a nice drink.

For more summery drinks, try mixing spirits from other Oregon micro-distilleries.