Bee Smash
Created by Samantha Casuga
“The Pollinator Vodka has a lovely floral aroma that I thought would work well in a bright shaken cocktail. Mint and rhubarb accent the honey and elderflower found in the vodka, then I added a little pineapple juice for a tropical undertone.”
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Pollinator Vodka
- 6-8 mint leaves
- 3/4 oz. lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz. rhubarb syrup*
Preparation: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake. Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass.
*Rhubarb Syrup
Juice raw three rhubarb stalks using a conventional juicer. Weigh the resulting juice with an equal amount of white sugar and combine in a blender. Blend on high until sugar is fully dissolved, approximately 3 minutes. Bottle, label and store in refrigerator.
Meet Samantha Casuga
CHILLED 100 Member, New York
Samantha Casuga, originally from Canada, is highly involved in the bartending community. She has participated in many programs including the Prep Team for San Antonio Cocktail Conference moving up to a team leader, and up to a Grey Coat at Tales of the Cocktail in the Cocktail Apprentice Program. She believes in the value of networking, team building, and creating bonds within the industry.
She has completed numerous programs including Certified Specialist of Spirits certification and the Bar-5 program with Beverage Alcohol Resource. Currently, she is a candidate for the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 4 Diploma.
Samantha is head bartender at The Dead Rabbit, NYC and brings 10 years of hospitality experience to the team.