Cocktailia

Plantation

• 4 to 6 fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 ounce gin
• 1/2 ounce Cointreau
• 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
• Club soda

Muddle the basil and sugar in the bottom of a mixing glass to make a paste. Fill the glass with ice, then add the gin, Cointreau, lime juice, and grapefruit juice. Cover, shake until cold, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass, preferably through a fine-mesh sieve. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and a basil leaf. Optionally top with club soda.

Plantation cocktail in progress

I didn’t used to like gin but I think I might be able to acquire a taste for it now. This cocktail sure was tasty. I made this with fresh basil from one of our plants, and the grapefruit juice you see in the bottle was pre-squeezed earlier in the day for the next few days’ breakfasts (and cocktails).

Recipe from The Art of the Bar.