Icy Lemon-Ginger Vodka Cocktails

Icy Lemon-Ginger Vodka Cocktails

These slushy, potent cocktails are easy to make in batches. They're also ideal for parties because most of the preparation can be done in advance.

Total Time: 20 mins, Yield: 8 drinks

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of Ginger Zucchini Marmalade

• 2 cups water

• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice

• 8 cups crushed ice

• 2 cups vodka

• 8 mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the Ginger Zucchini Marmalade with the water and melt over moderate heat. Transfer to a blender and puree. Strain the syrup into a large, shallow glass dish. Stir in the lemon zest and juice. Cover and freeze the lemon-Ginger Zucchini Marmalade syrup until firm, at least 4 hours.

2. Let the frozen lemon-Ginger Zucchini Marmalade mixture stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. Chop the mixture into large pieces. Put half of the pieces in a blender, add 4 cups of crushed ice and 1 cup of vodka, and blend until slushy. Pour the vodka cocktail into 4 glasses, garnish each with a mint sprig, and serve. Repeat with the remaining frozen lemon mixture, ice, vodka, and mint sprigs. Serve at once.

Make Ahead: The lemon-Ginger Zucchini Marmalade mixture can be frozen for up to 1 week.