'Gin'-ger basiltini

( Photo by Glenn Koenig )

Ginger meets basil in this drink for a nice romp. It marries the bright, fresh flavors of basil and lime with delicate cucumber and spicy ginger. Make the cucumber gin and ginger syrup in advance to chill. "Gin"-ger basiltini is from the Girl & the Fig in Los Angeles. Za vashe zdorovye!!

Servings: 1 cocktail

Ingredients:
Cucumber gin
1/2 English cucumber, peeled and seeded
1 bottle gin, use your favorite

Place the cucumber and gin in a clean glass jar. Seal the lid tightly and set aside for 5 days, shaking once a day. Strain the gin through a few layers of cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into the original gin bottle. Label the bottle and refrigerate before using.

Ginger simple syrup:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 (1-inch) piece of ginger, peeled and very thinly sliced

In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar over high heat. Boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and add the ginger, allowing it to steep until the mixture is fully cool. Strain the syrup through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a clean glass jar.

This makes about 1 cup ginger simple syrup, more than is needed for a single cocktail. Cover and refrigerate; the syrup will keep, refrigerated, for 2 weeks.

"Gin"-ger basiltini:
6 basil leaves, divided
Juice of half a lime
1 1/2 ounces cucumber-infused gin
1/2 ounce ginger simple syrup

In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle together 5 basil leaves with the lime juice. Fill the shaker with ice, then add the gin and simple syrup. Shake the ingredients vigorously, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Garnish with the remaining basil leaf and serve immediately.