Curiocity: Mike's Mix -- Sweet Sickle

Every Friday, Mike Augustyniak will be picking up a new cocktail recipe from a local mixologist. Throughout October, he's getting his inspirations from Dustin House. This week's selection: the Sweet Sickle, a simple spin on the classic Gimlet cocktail.

Ingredients
2.5 oz Cherry Vodka (preferably infused)
0.5 oz Preserved Lime Juice (Rose's Lime)
Garnish: 1 cherry, 1 lime

Directions
Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a lowball glass filled with ice and garnish with cherry and lime. Do not squeeze the lime into this drink. Often, the lime juice already mixed in is enough for the bar patron and squeezing in fresh lime juice will be overkill. (NOTE: Substitute club soda or cherry seltzer for the vodka to make this a non-alcoholic drink.)

Taste Test
This is a basic drink that dominated during the "Mad Men" era of the '60s but, if the Gimlet is a little too tangy for your taste, the Sweet Sickle might be more your speed. The cherry-infused vodka cuts the tartness of lime, and takes over as the main flavor in this drink, making it a sweeter version of the original.

About Dustin
Dustin House is the general manager of the Valley Tap House in Apple Valley, but will be opening a new Uptown Minneapolis vodka bar in early November called Hammer & Sickle. It will be located at 1300 Lagoon Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, and will feature at least 60 types of vodka, including house-made vodka infusions, as well as a full dinner menu.

To find more recipes from Mike's Mix, click here.