[vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output][/text_output][text_output]Last summer, during a Tastemade video training session with Mai Pham, I discovered the unique taste of vinegar-based mocktails.

“Try this!” said the fresh-faced Chef de Cuisine of KUU Restaurant, Martin Weaver. He handed me a refreshing fruit, vinegar, and soda water concoction that he was introducing on the KUU summer happy hour menu. It was sweet and tangy and I knew I had to get the recipe!

It wasn’t until last week when I was raving to my friends about this delicious summertime beverage that I decided to contact Chef Weaver for the recipe. He invited me to Brennan’s of Houston where he recently accepted the position of Executive Sous-Chef and offered to show me how to make the Sweet & Tangy Raspberry Vinegar Mocktail.

I met Chef Weaver at the Brennan’s Courtyard Bar after the Friday lunch service and we chatted a bit about his recent career highlights. From his experience on the Food Network show “Chopped” to his CultureMap “Rising Star Chef of the Year” nomination to his move to Brennan’s, I learned how Chef Weaver is shaping his career through his culinary philosophy. He believes food should be local, sensory, and emotional. Chef Weaver likes to take traditionally heavy cuisine and lighten dishes up with healthier food swaps. His background in Classic French and Modern Asian cuisine allows him to align fresh twists to traditional entrées without creating flavor confusion.

As we walked to the kitchen, Chef Weaver explained the types of events and offerings featured at Brennan’s. I learned about the private chef dinners that are catered in the kitchen, signature cocktail making classes called Cocktail Flight & Creole Bites, date night themed cooking classes and the ultimate food enthusiast experience of being a chef for a day. I spoke with a client who participated in the Brennan’s Chef for a Day program. He showed me pictures of the dishes he prepared and described the process of his cooking adventure. His Chef for the Day concluded with a private dinner party for his friends where he proudly served a four-course meal that he prepared at Brennan’s. After hearing that story, I was ready to sign up!

I knew Brennan’s was a renowned Houston restaurant, but I didn’t know about all the ways Brennan’s is connecting people with creative food and drink experiences. I love how Brennan’s serving more than just great food, they are creating lasting memories.

Chef Weaver continued my visit with a live demo of how to prepare the Sweet & Tasty Raspberry Vinegar Summer Mocktail. Here are the details for the recipe and a slideshow for the step-by-step tutorial.[/text_output][text_output]

[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h4″]Sweet & Tangy Raspberry Vinegar Summer Mocktail[/x_custom_headline]

PREP TIME: 10 mins
COOK TIME: 20 mins
TOTAL TIME: 30 mins

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Author: Chef Martin Weaver
Recipe type: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1-pint raspberries
• 3 tbsp vinegar ( or to taste)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 sprigs mint
• Soda water to taste
• 1 wedge lime and sprig mint for garnish.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place raspberries, vinegar, sugar and water in a medium-sized pot and bring to a simmer on medium-high heat.
2. Reduce the liquid by 1/2 or until a syrup consistency forms.
3. Strain the mixture to separate the raspberry seeds.
4. Chill the syrup on ice.
5. Muddle mint leaves in a shaker tin and mix in the syrup to absorb mint flavor.
6. Strain syrup into a glass and add soda water and ice.
7. Garnish with lime and mint and serve.

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Fruit + Sugar + Vinegar

You can use any fruit of choice for this tasty vinegar-based drink. If your syrup is too sweet, add a little more vinegar. If it’s too tart, add a  bit more sugar. Just taste as you go through the steps and tweak the recipe to your preference. You can use any vinegar that you like too. Chef Weaver uses rice vinegar in this recipe. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of making your own syrup, you can purchase a ready-made fruit flavored syrup and mix it with the vinegar and soda water. It’s that simple!

My tour concluded at the bar with a freshly made Sweet and Tangy Raspberry Vinegar Mocktail. I paired my beverage with the Blanca’s Duck & Collard Green Tamale and the Acadiana Boudin Link from the Brennan’s “Seven for Seven” Courtyard Bar happy hour menu which features seven appetizers, cocktails and wines for $7 each from 2:00 – 7:00 PM, 7 days a week. I savored each bite and sip and ended my week in a relaxed state of mind.[/text_output][text_output]

Taste & See for Yourself

Now that I shared the Sweet & Tangy Raspberry Vinegar Summer Mocktail recipe, it’s your turn to taste and see for yourself. The syrup for the vinegar-based mocktail is super easy to make. Just remember to taste the syrup as you go to make sure it’s to your taste preference. Once you try this fruity concoction, you will be drinking it all summer long. The health benefits of drinking vinegar-based beverages are numerous. My two favorite benefits are the anti-aging antioxidants and the antibacterial detox for weight loss.  The sweetness takes the edge off the vinegar and makes this summer beverage a great alternative to lemonade.  Pro tip, you can use the fruit reduction in salad dressings or as a glaze for meat. Give it a try and let me know what  you think!

Also, the Brennan’s Courtyard Bar “Seven for Seven” summer happy hour menu is a great way to sample a variety of small bites with friends after work on the patio. The Brennen’s offerings are endless and they run specials each month so stop by and check them out. If you decide to participate in the Brennan’s Chef for the Day program, be sure to invite me to the private dinner party so I can sample your cooking!

Thank you, Chef Weaver and Brennan’s for the tour and live demo. I had a blast learning about your offerings and meeting your staff.

See additional photos on Taste & See Life’s Facebook Page.[/text_output][share title=”Share this Post” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” google_plus=”true” pinterest=”true” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]