Bul

It's a gorgeous spring day and I'm a week away from earning my Master's degree, so in lieu of cooking I'm kicking up my heels for a little rest and celebration tonight, and giving you a simple cocktail to enjoy.  Bul (pronounced BOOL) is a Cuban beer spritzer, popular in the warm summer months in Cuban homes.  Prepare a pitcher of this refreshing drink and enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
• 1 (12-ounce) bottled chilled beer
• 1 and 1/2 cups chilled ginger ale
• 4 lime slices (optional for garnish)

1. Combine the lime juice, beer, and ginger ale in a pitcher.  Serve over ice in glasses.  Add the lime slices as garnish, if you like, for a pretty presentation.

A note on ingredients: because this drink is so light and crisp, you don't want a heavy beer - something like a pale ale works best, although a pilsner would also work well.  A good vegan option is Sierra Nevada's pale ale.  For a vegan ginger ale, I recommend R.W. Knudsen, which uses fruit juice as sweetener instead of sugar. 

Nutrition Info:
4 servings (about 3/4 cup), Calories 69 

Tasting Notes:
 Very much like a corona with lime!  I actually was disappointed that it wasn't sweeter from the ginger ale, and might use a 2-to-1 ginger ale to beer ratio next time, but still a wonderfully refreshing drink.  Best with a spritz of lime squeezed on top just before sipping.

Rating:
3.5