The vibrant red of the watermelon is not only pleasing to the eye, but also to the the taste buds.  I recommend enjoying a Hummingbird Fizz on a warm summer evening while listening to the John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes forever and watching patriots light up the sky.  If you prefer more organic light shows, have a sip while listening to the Back Porch and counting fireflies.

Ingredients:

• Honeysuckle syrup (made the same day or one day before)
• Watermelon chunks
• Club soda
• Rum
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle watermelon chunks at the bottom of a glass
2. Add one part honeysuckle syrup, 4 parts club soda, and a shot of rum
3. Serve over ice
4. Garnish with a tiny umbrella or something else that would look nice on the rim of the glass

Serving suggestion for a Hummingbird Fizz. (Photo credit: S. Sim)

Prost!

In the genus Lonicera, the honeysuckle blooms in summer and thus makes a refreshing drink for a warm and lazy summer afternoon.  I’ve tried to combine the delicate fragrance of honeysuckle with flavors that won’t compete or completely mask it.

Lazi Loni ingredients:

• Honeysuckle syrup (as usual, fresher is better, as the honeysuckle fragrance will decay over time)
• Fresh pineapple chunks
• Club soda
• Rum
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle pinapple chunks at the bottom of a glass
   

   Muddled fresh pineapple

2. Add one part honeysuckle syrup, 4 parts club soda, and a shot of rum
3. Serve over ice
4. Garnish with tiny umbrella, leftover flowers, or other invasive species

Lazy Loni serving suggestion (Photo credit: S. Sim)

Mabuhai!

We’ve been busy here at Invasivore… busy concocting delicious mixed drinks!  That’s right, we’re combining invasivory with mixology and sharing the recipes for our adult readers.  Please feel free to do some experimentation yourself and as always, drink responsibly!

Ingredients:

• Honeysuckle simple syrup (to optimize the honeysuckle flavor, use freshly made honeysuckle syrup)
• Club soda
• Rum
• Lime cut into wedges

Instructions:

1. Mix one part honeysuckle syrup with 4 parts club soda and a shot of rum
2. Finish with a squeeze of lime
3. Insert tiny umbrella or garnish with a leftover honeysuckle flower or another invasive species (for example, Himalayan blackberry in the picture below)

Feel free to adjust the ratios to your tastes and eliminate the alcohol to make a kid-friendly beverage.

Lime Honeysuckler with Himalayan blackberry garnish (Photo credit: S. Sim)

Slainte!