While we’re working away to open our doors for all you lovely people, we’re still making time for recipe experimenting in our free time. Our brewer, John, has been staying busy brewing pilot recipes for Common Block on his own homebrewing system, and our bartender extraordinaire, Andy, has tirelessly tested cocktail concoctions to sling your way along the bar top. Did we say recipe experimenting? Maybe we meant drink experimenting.

Because we love Andy’s creativity and focus on local ingredients, we asked him to pass along a few of his favorite seasonal drink ideas. These two drinks are summer-inspired and include ingredients that you can find at our local Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market (like cucumbers, strawberries and herbs from the Saturday gathering next door at the Medford Commons). We also recommend using Immortal Spirits craft products made here in Medford, Oregon! This just-down-the-street distillery on Central Ave. puts out an impressive array of craft liquors – all handmade from scratch. Mix, pour, and enjoy!

Honeydew Cucumber Mint Cooler

1 honeydew melon, peeled and chopped, seeds okay

1 cucumber, English or standard variety, peeled

1 cup of fresh mint

½ cup fresh lime juice

1 ½ oz. Immortal Spirits gin

1-2 thinly sliced lime wheels, for garnishing

Blend melon, one-half of the cucumber, and mint in blender until smooth, and then strain through a mesh sieve into a large pitcher. Add fresh lime juice. Cut the other half of the cucumber into slices, add to pitcher, and chill for 30 minutes.

Stir well and pour over ice in a rocks glass with Immortal Spirits gin. Garnish with the thinly sliced lime wheels.

Can’t find honeydew? Substitute watermelon or cantaloupe and prepare the same way.

Strawberry-Thyme Lemonade

Market berries! (photo: Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market)

1 cup of raw turbinado sugar

8 sprigs of thyme

1 quart of strawberries (hulled and sliced)

1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice

1 ½ oz. Immortal Spirits vodka

Make your thyme simple syrup using the sugar, thyme and one cup of water. Boil ingredients in a small saucepan stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool and discard thyme sprigs.

Combine thyme syrup with strawberries, lemon juice and five cups of water in a large pitcher. Chill for at least 30 minutes. Serve over ice in rocks glass with Immortal Spirits vodka. Garnish with a sprig or two of fresh thyme.

Short on thyme? Substitute rosemary instead.