1 large basil leaf, clap leaf then add
1/2 oz simple syrup, add
1/2 oz lemon juice, add
1/4 oz St. Germaine Liquer, add
1.5 oz Ketel One Vodka, add, top all with ice, shake hard 8 seconds, strain into glass
Topped with Mionetto Prosecco of course!
garnish lemon twist, a giant curley dramatic lemon twist
Why do I list the cheapest ingredients to the most expensive? Well it is not like a buffet where the chef's design it to have you fill up on cucumber orzo salad first so that your room for beef is limited on your 9 inch plate. This is for the errors that the mixologist can make! I prefer to list ingredients so as when you are making and you mess up and have to toss, you haven't gotten to the luxury yet, one would hope.
So? rule of thumb alway do your premium item last in your shaker.
Start by clapping the basil hard in your hands, and yes dramatically as any signature drink should come with a lot of flair and attention. This is not all for curtains open this does actually add to the beverage. Your hard hurrah will release the oils of the leaf preparing it for its plummet into your shaker tin.
It is important to note however I would not build my drink in a shaker but actually a clear pint glass. The guests and I love to see the ingredients come together like an artists work on a clear canvas.
With mise en place in each hand equally pour your fresh squeezed then mesh strained lemon juice and homemade simple syrup (sugar and hot h20 of course!) into the glass with a 2 count or measured pour. Always warm your lemons and roll over the counter like you are moving a bread pin roller to increase juice extraction and separation from peel.
What is next? Well St. Germaine of course. This elderflower liqueur pairs so well with gin until I didnt love Gin anymore and realized the pairing with sparkling is so terrific. A Hop Skip on that (or measured pour) and you are ready for your heavy hitter.
Pour in your Ketel, or desired vodka of choice. I am hoping to try this with 21 seeds soon! I do enjoy Ketel and it is clean and classy. I shy into sticking with the 1.5 oz here, don't go overboard.
With all this beauty in your glass (or just shaker tin if thats your jam) now add your ice! and shake shake shake, with a smile.
Strain into a chilled martini glass. Use a mesh strainer if you would like to remove basil bits or uncaught lemon flesh, but me? I like the basil color like the worlds glitter catching a glimmer of fabulousness.
Now the garnish, take your room temperature lemon and peel the longest, windiest super curl you can and drape over the glass. As you twist and turn creating this topper perform it over the drink to catch the burst of zest coming from your performance.
and now CHEERS! and with a couple of these it is easy to #get-carried-away
and PS modifications welcome! with simple good ingredients it is easy to play, try rosemary and gin, try jalapeno vodka, give sparkling rose a whirl as a topper. #youdoyou
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