Like the ingredients that go into the gluten-free, paleo- and vegan-friendly dishes of Portland’s Verde Cocina, the philosophy behind the bar program is the same — local. Now with four locations throughout the Rose City, bar manager Adriana Alvarez focuses on local spirits and regional ingredients on her drinks menus, keeping cocktails simple, flavorsome and seasonal. And all named after Mexican legends — like the bright, refreshing Anything for Selena, titled for the late ’90s Latina pop icon Selena, but for the love of actor Ryan Reynolds.
When “it’s hot out, it’s Aperol season [but] I wanted to make a cocktail with a local spirit and go from there,” Alvarez says of featuring both the Italian aperitif and Aviation Gin in this cocktail recipe. “This drink is refreshing and even for the not-gin lovers. Oh, and Ryan Reynolds owns Aviation. So cool.”
Even for those who steer clear of gin and hunky movie stars from the Pacific Northwest, Alvarez says this concoction — which also carries a bit of elderflower liqueur St-Germain — brings reprieve from the heat more than overpowering botanicals. Aviation is “smooth and clean, plays well with others,” she adds. “You know, like Ryan Reynolds.”
Anything for Selena
Makes 1 cocktail
1 1/2 ounces Aviation gin
1 ounce strawberry purée*
3/4 ounce lime
1/2 ounce St-Germain
1/2 ounce Aperol
Garnish: lime wheel
Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing tin, add ice, cap and shake. Strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
*To make the strawberry purée, place 1 cup of strawberries in a blender and purée until smooth. Add sugar, simple syrup or honey to taste. Yields roughly 1/2 cup.
