Prep Time

　　15 minutes

　　Active Time

　　5 minutes

　　Total Time

　　20 minutes

　　A perfect accent for an outdoor supper during tomato season. In winter, it revives the palate as an aperitif. This drink demonstrates so ably how fresh ingredients can be incorporated into everyday drinking cocktails. Head to your kitchen garden or snag a big bunch of basil at the farmers market, and you’re mere steps from a living drink that will make your head dizzy. This drink smashes basil, but you can smash anything—tarragon, thyme, cilantro, or makrut lime leaves. Let this drink inspire you. We like to host a garden party with an assortment of fresh herbs and gins, and let friends muddle their way through an array of flavors.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 1 cocktail

　　

For the simple syrup:

1 cup Demerara sugar

　　1 cup water

　　

For the cocktail:

2 ounces gin (such as Beefeater)

　　1 ounce fresh lemon juice

　　⅔ ounce simple syrup

　　Small bunch basil leaves (about 10)

　　Basil sprig, for garnish

　　

Make the simple syrup:

Step 1

Heat the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Do not boil. Stir until sugar dissolves, about 3 to 5 minutes, then remove the pan from the stove. Cool. Transfer the syrup to a clean bottle or jar. Cover and refrigerate.

　　

Make the cocktail:

Step 2

Muddle basil leaves with lemon juice and simple syrup. Add ice and gin and shake. Double-strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice. Garnish with a basil sprig.

　　Text excerpted from THE NEW COCKTAIL HOUR © 2016 by André Darlington and Tenaya Darlington. Reproduced by permission of Running Press. All rights reserved.