Jolly Gin Giant
I don’t know why I got all silly and named this drink the Jolly Gin Giant, but here we are. Reasons for this utterly un-creative name for a delightful cocktail include the color of it, and that’s all. It doesn’t taste like a giant, jolly or otherwise.
It’s a great thing to be able to take advantage of fresh grocery and garden items to eat – and drink. This cocktail raids your pantry for things to smash and toss into gin. Hit up the cucumber, basil, and mint. It’s satisfying, fresh, and fun. Use your favorite gin, I used the lovely Gin Mare for this recipe. You could also pick from any number of London Dry gins, too.
Jolly Gin Giant
Ingredients
- 2 Oz. Gin
- 3 Slices Cucumber
- 1 Quarter Lime – keep the skin on!
- 2-5 Leaves Basil
- 2-5 Leaves Mint
- .25 Oz. Simple syrup
Instructions
- Combine all of your green things in a cocktail shaker with your .25 oz of simple syrup. You want to keep the lime skin and peel on to harvest the oils.
- Start smashing away! The ends of most barspoons have a muddling device.
- Add ice and your gin to the cocktail shaker.
- Shake.
- Double strain into a coupe glass.
- Garnish with something that's left from the smashing if you like.
Other drinks that feature basil, mint, or cukes:
Grapefruit and Basil Gin and Tonic
Mix up the Jolly Gin Giant.
Try different gins here. My favorite gin in all of the land, Gin Mare, is Mediterranean in flavorings and does well with all of the green things. If you love cucumbers, go for Hendricks. If you want more spice, pick a juniper or pepper forward gin. Lots of options.
Speaking of cucumbers, I used some boldly flavored little guys that I usually pickle. The giant and generic cukes at the store have less flavor, but you could always use more of them.
I have not tried this drink with dried basil or mint, but in a pinch it may work? We shall see this winter when my plants disappear!
Cheers, and make good decisions!
Iced Cranberry Gin
