This one is a stunner! Dragon fruit is the key, as it makes a fuchsia-coloured simple syrup that can be created into all sorts of beautiful concoctions. This one is very easy-drinking…just be careful it doesn’t creep up on you! Unless of course, you are looking for some liquid courage to enjoy one of the greatest summertime cottage traditions — the skinny dip!

There is nothing quite like an August night on the dock, when the sun has long set, the air is still warm, and only starry sky casts any light. If you have never tried skinny dipping in a lake, you must. When you doff your clothes in the dark, it’s more than peeling off layers of fabric. It is shaking away worries, stress, judgements and body hang-ups, and giving into the awesome freedom that only skin on water can bring!

Skinny Dipper

Dragon Fruit Simple Syrup

Wash & chop up half a dragon fruit (keeping on pink rind)
Heat 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar on medium. Remove from heat as soon as it hits boil
Pour in mason jar (filling it half full), and add fruit
Sit out (un-lidded) to cool 30-45 minutes, and then refrigerate ~4 hours.

4 hours later…

For one Skinny Dipper, mix:

1-1/2 oz gin
1 oz dragon fruit simple syrup
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
3-4 club soda, to taste

Food Pairing: Chunky Dunk

Ok, the real recipe name is Feta-Pine Nut Spread (thank you guest-contributor Patricia for this bit of loveliness! I think originally from Epicurious). However, Chunk Dunk feels like a better name pairing with Skinny Dip. Plus, once you taste it, you will be spreading it on everything — we enjoyed as a veggie dip, but it would go equally well with crackers, baguette, as a sandwich spread, a burger condiment, or just dip your finger in (only once though!) and nosh away! Trust me, this photo does not do it justice.