The nostalgia for the classics is bringing us back retro cocktails like Gimlets and other libations made with fresh herbs. Herbs are wonderful year round in pots on your windowsill–not only do they add beauty to your kitchen, but they have wonderful health benefits.
Thai Basil is one herb I like to always have on hand, so I grow it in my mini chef’s garden just outside my kitchen. It has Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Magnesium, iron, potassium, and calcium, and its versatility lends itself to anything from salads to cocktails. Whether you’re entertaining a group of friends, or looking for a signature drink for a special occasion, nothing impresses quite like a cocktail that can be good for you too. Be sure to use a high quality gin, like Hendricks, or your favorite organic gin, for the ultimate apothecary benefits!
Recipe
Ingredients:
Two to three leaves of fresh Thai basil (if you cannot find Thai Basil, use two leaves of Italian basil and a pinch of peppermint leaf). You can find Thai Basil at Sang Lee Farms in Peconic on Sound Avenue.
1 1/2 ounces of Hendricks gin (did you know that gin was prescribed for medicinal purposes before it was used as a spirit?)
One teaspoon of fresh squeezed lime juice
One tablespoon of simple syrup
Gimlet preparation:
In a cocktail shaker, muddle two to three leaves of fresh basil. Add two shots of gin, lime juice, and the simple syrup. Fill with ice. Shake and pour into a high ball glass with ice. Garnish with a sprig of Thai basil blossom.
