Unencumbered Recipes

Steps:

• In a shaker with ice, combine the cucumber juice, vodka, Simple Syrup and lime juice and stir well. Strain into a highball glass and top with the sparkling wine. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon.
• Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Keep covered in the refrigerator up to 1 month. Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Steps:

• Put the honey on a small plate. Combine the salt and cayenne pepper on a second small plate. Dip the rim of a rocks glass into the honey and let any excess drip off. Dip into the salt and cayenne mixture to rim the glass. Set aside.
• In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, lime juice, Honey Syrup and bitters. Shake, then pour the contents of the shaker into the rimmed rocks glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.
• Combine the honey and 1/2 cup water in a small pot and stir together. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then remove from the heat and let cool completely.