Midweek Happy Hour: Basil Vodka Gimlets
Go ahead, let in a little bit of spring, even if it's still cold in your neck of the woods. This tart and herby take on a gimlet should help! Make the basil-lemon syrup ahead of time, and enjoy the cocktail through the weekend. You'll have extra syrup, so pour it over sorbet, let it soak into some fresh pound cake, or add it to any number of other cocktails. The recipe comes from the July 2007 issue of Gourmet.
Basil Vodka Gimlets
Ingredients:
4 cups packed fresh basil sprigs (top 4 inches; from a 1/2-pound bunch)
4 cups water
2 cups sugar
9 (4- by 1-inch) strips lemon zest
3/4 cup vodka
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup ice cubes
For garnish: Fresh basil sprigs; lemon zest strips
Directions:
1. Make the basil-lemon simple syrup: Bring basil, water, sugar, and lemon zest to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Let stand at room temperature, covered, 1 hour, then transfer to an airtight container and chill until cold, about 1 hour. Strain syrup through a sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on it and then discarding solids.
2. In a pitcher, stir together 1 cup of cold basil-lemon simple syrup, the vodka, the lemon juice, and the ice cubes. Strain into 8- to 10-ounce glasses half filled with ice. Garnish with fresh basil sprigs and strips of lemon zest.
Makes 6 drinks.
--KitchenMaus
Kathy on April 11, 2008 at 03:07 AM
Nice Recipe
Cheers!!
Kathy
http://www.tivamo.com