A riff on the classic Gin Rickey cocktail, this modern adaptation from Hotel Fraye’s rooftop bar, Eddie Ate Dynamite, adds a refreshing and delicious strawberry foundation paired with sweet and peppery herbal basil notes.
“While the gin in this cocktail may scare some people off (it can be easily replaced with vodka to soothe any troubled minds), the fresh fruit purée and herbal depth are the stars of the show here,” says Austin Green, Restaurants General Manager at Hotel Fraye. “The strawberry and citrus are bright and invigorating, which pair well with the earthy, peppery basil notes underneath. Combined with the effervescence of the soda water opening up the flavors even further, this cocktail really comes to life.” (hotelfrayenashville.com)
STRAWBERRY BASIL GIN RICKEY
Ingredients:
1 1⁄2 oz gin
1 oz fresh strawberry purée
3 3 ⁄4 oz fresh lime juice
3 ⁄4 oz 1:1 simple syrup
4 basil leaves
Directions:
Measure and combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
Lightly muddle the basil leaves into the mixture to release oils.
Add ice and shake for 10 – 15 seconds.
Strain into a 12-oz Collins glass (or similar).
Add fresh ice and top with soda water.
Garnish with a fresh basil leaf and a strawberry skewer.