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The desert doesn't sound like the most inspirational place for a professional mixologist, but you wouldn't get that from spending time with Dan Thomas.
As the beverage manager for Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, it's his job to create delectable drinks — and many of his ideas are born in the citrus trees, mango groves, date farms and succulents that surround us.
“I look at the fresh fruits like a chef looks at a fresh piece of meat or fish,” he said. “It's a challenge.”
After working at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and in other resorts in Sin City and Denver, Thomas has learned that the freshest ingredients make for the best cocktails.
“Look around your backyard or what looks fresh at the farmer's market,” he said. “That's what's going to be a great drink.”
Here are some of his favorite drinks to make at home.
PALM DATE MARTINI
2 ounces Cruzan blackstrap rum
1 ounce 1554 Black ale beer
2-3 fresh dates
1/2 ounce simple syrup
Muddle fresh dates with rum inside a martini shaker. After muddling the dates, take your bar spoon and lift the dates off the bottom. (They tend to stick to the bottom of the shaker.)
Add the rest of the ingredients and shake until well-blended. Strain into a cocktail glass.
CACTUS COSMO
2 ounces Vodka
3/4 ounce Orange liqueur
1/2 freshly squeezed lime
3 bar spoons of prickly pear puree (Or, if in season, muddle the inside of one fresh prickly pear).
Shake everything together in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
ADULT SLUSHIE
4 ounce of fresh fruit juice from oranges and grapefruit
3 ounces gin
Pour everything together in a large casserole dish and place in freezer. Fluff with a fork when it starts to freeze. (It will not freeze all the way, though, because of the alcohol content.)
When it is slushy, place in a cocktail glass. Serves 4.
FUSION 3
12 lemons
3 liters vodka
Slice lemons - to -inch thick. Place inside an infusion jar or big jug with a tight-fitting lid. Top with vodka. Let sit for two days at room temperature to let the lemon flavor start to break down, then place in refrigerator.
Enjoy the vodka two ways:
1. Drink as is in a chilled glass.
2. Add simple syrup to taste for a fresh lemon drop.
MANGO MANIA
1/2 fresh mango, diced
1 ounce Spiced rum
Juice from 1/2 lime
Splash of orange juice
Muddle the mango at the bottom of a martini shaker. Add the rest of the ingredients and fill shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass or strain and serve over ice.
