By Fernando Saralegui
Stick with me here. When I say “From Hot to Hotter,” I’m not just talking about the sweltering summer heat we all know from July to August. This time, it’s about a change of scenery — a move south. Not from the Hamptons to the Jersey Shore, but further south, deeper into the heart of Texas and beyond.
After 25 years living in the US South, I’ve embraced a culinary style that pairs perfectly with the region’s warm climate and vibrant culture. This summer, I’m sharing light, easy, and fresh recipes designed to keep your kitchen cool and your palate refreshed. These hand-held dishes and casual bites combine southern, Latino, and Mediterranean flavors — all perfectly complemented by the crisp, clean botanicals in Origen Holistic Vodka and Harmony Holistic Gin.
Whether you’re picnicking under a big tree or relaxing on the porch, these recipes celebrate sustainability, ingredient transparency, and mindful, holistic imbibing — hallmarks of the Origen and Harmony brands. Let’s make this summer about eating well, drinking smarter, and savoring every moment.
Recipes
Elote Corn (Mexican Street Corn)
You never forget your first Elote. While fresh mid-summer corn is hard to beat, this recipe comes close.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz cotija cheese, crumbled (dry feta works if you can’t find cotija)
- ¼ cup Duke’s Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tsp fresh lime juice
- 4 ears fresh yellow corn, with husks
- ½ tsp chili powder (Ancho preferred)
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
Directions:
- Microwave corn (with husks) on high for 3 minutes.
- Peel back husks without removing them; use husks as handles.
- Grill over medium heat, rotating to char all sides. (Optional: Skip grilling and serve with sauce on microwaved corn.)
- Whisk mayo and sour cream.
- Drizzle lime juice on corn, then coat with mayo mixture. Sprinkle with cheese, chili powder, and cilantro.
Shrimp Cóctel (Mexican Style)
A bright cousin to the classic shrimp cocktail, this tomato-based cóctel blends Bloody Mary, gazpacho, and sangrita flavors. Origen pairs beautifully here.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb medium shrimp (26-50 count), cooked with 2 tbsp Old Bay, chilled
- 1 small red onion, diced
- ½ cup peeled, diced English cucumber
- 2 diced Roma tomatoes (or store-bought chunky pico de gallo)
- 1 seeded, finely chopped jalapeño
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 cups tomato juice
- ½ cup clam juice (Bar Harbor preferred)
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup lime juice
- Hot sauce to taste
- 2 oz Origen Holistic Vodka
- 1 ripe Hass avocado, diced
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
Directions:
- Combine shrimp, veggies, and cilantro.
- Whisk tomato juice, clam juice, orange juice, lime juice, hot sauce, and vodka.
- Mix liquids into shrimp mix.
- Chill 1-3 hours.
- Serve in small bowls with avocado cubes and cilantro garnish.
Sonoran Hot Dogs
While the Chicago Dog is iconic, many in the Southwest swear by the Sonoran Dog. Here’s a version that brings together the best flavors of Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Ingredients:
- 4 beef hot dogs (1½ oz each)
- 4 bolillo or top-cut buns
- 4 slices bacon
- 2 tbsp pickled jalapeños or banana peppers, chopped
- ½ cup chunky pico de gallo, drained
- ¼ cup warmed refried pinto or black beans
- A handful of chicharrones
- Chipotle mayo or crema (blend chipotle pepper, adobo, and Duke’s mayo or Mexican crema)
Instructions:
- Wrap dogs in bacon, grill or broil.
- Toast buns, spread beans on each.
- Place dog in bun; add peppers, pico de gallo, and chicharrones.
- Drizzle chipotle mayo in a zigzag.
Finger Sandwiches
Southern (and English!) afternoons call for delicate finger sandwiches — cool, light, and elegant.
Use very thin Pepperidge Farm white bread. Crusts off or on, then cut diagonally.
Cucumber Dill
- Thinly sliced English cucumber
- Duke’s Mayonnaise
- Fresh dill
- Salt and pepper
Assemble with a light schmear of mayo, cucumber layers, dill, salt and pepper.
Pimento Cheese
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar (no pre-shredded)
- ½ cup Duke’s Mayonnaise
- ½ cup jarred pimiento peppers, chopped
- ¼ cup chopped green onion
- Black pepper, salt, cayenne, and a dash of Tabasco
Mix, chill, and spread on bread.
Tomato Herb
- Thick slices of fresh garden tomatoes (no refrigeration)
- Duke’s Mayonnaise mixed with minced basil and mint
Spread herb mayo on bread, add tomatoes, and serve.
Origen Daiquiri Fruit Salad
A refreshing, chilled fruit salad perfect for sweltering days.
Ingredients:
- ¾ oz Grand Marnier
- 1½ oz Origen Holistic Vodka
- Juice of 1 lime
- Fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries (about 1½ cups each)
- 2 oranges, supremed
- 1½ cups honeydew melon balls
- ⅓ cup chopped mint
Directions:
- Shake vodka, Grand Marnier, and lime juice.
- Toss with fruit and mint.
- Chill at least 1 hour.
- Serve in cocktail glasses garnished with mint.
Harmony Grilled Peach & Vanilla Ice Cream
Simple, seasonal Tex-Mex indulgence.
Ingredients:
- Sliced Hill Country peaches, grilled with EVOO
- Vanilla ice cream
- Harmony Holistic Gin
- Tajín spice
Assemble with ice cream, grilled peaches, drizzle with gin, and dust with Tajín.
At The Bar Origen Gazpacho Sangria
A vibrant blend of fresh veggies, herbs, Origen Holistic Vodka, and dry white wine.
Blend cucumbers, bell pepper, roasted tomatillos, green grapes, garlic, dill pickle spears and juice, white grape juice, lime, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, cilantro, parsley, and mint. Strain and reserve juice.
Mix 1½ oz Origen, 2 oz Sancerre, and 2-3 oz gazpacho juice over ice. Serve garnished with grapes and white pepper.
Rose Origen Refresher
- 6 oz crisp rosé
- 1½ oz Origen Holistic Vodka
- ½ lemon juice
- ¾ oz St Germain
- Orange bitters
Shake with ice, strain into wine glass, garnish with orange wedge.
Harmony Alva
- 1½ oz Harmony Holistic Gin
- 1 oz Lillet Blonde
- Lemon wedge
- Sparkling wine
- Orange twist
Pour Harmony and Lillet, squeeze lemon, fill with sparkling wine, garnish with orange twist.
Harmony Pickle-Juice Lemonade
- 2 cups homemade lemonade
- 6 tbsp dill pickle brine
- 1½ oz Harmony Holistic Gin
- Pickle spear and mint garnish
Combine lemonade and brine, pour over ice with Harmony. Garnish.
Cheers to a Summer of Flavor, Freshness, and Conscious Drinking
Here’s to staying cool this summer with easy recipes inspired by the South and beyond — from Mexican street corn and Sonoran hot dogs to light finger sandwiches and refreshing fruit salads. Each dish is crafted for casual enjoyment and pairs beautifully with Origen and Harmony, two spirits designed with wellness, sustainability, and purity at their core.
Drink smarter, not harder. Embrace conscious imbibing with Origen and Harmony — your partners for a better way to drink this summer and beyond.
