Classic Gin & Tonic with Basil and Coriander
Today we’re celebrating the good old fashioned G & T, the way it should be. Snazzed up only slightly with a squeeze of lemon and a thyme garnish, this is a crisp and delicious classic, and I hope it gets your weekend started right!
The recipe makes one cocktail, but don’t let that deter you from doing some quick multiplication and making a big tasty fizzy carafe to see you through the evening! If you don’t have dried juniper berries or coriander seeds it’s no big deal. The dried juniper berries are great to have in the pantry and they add a lovely flavour to G&Ts, so grab them if you can, but you can just as easily add some cracked black pepper for a little extra punch of flavour.
And if you’re looking for a tune to play while you enjoy your tipple, I recommend First Love, Late Spring, by Mitzki. I think it is one of the most beautiful songs and has just enough class, kick and grit to be the perfect accompaniment to this classic, tart G & T. I hope you like it as much as I do!
Classic Gin & Tonic with Basil and Coriander
Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients
1 shot of gin
2 shots of tonic water
2 shots of soda water
A squeeze of lemon juice
A few slices of Lebanese cucumber (I used a peeler and peeled a big strip of cucumber, then curled it around the inside of the glass before pouring in the cocktail - so easy and looks so pretty!)
5 dried juniper berries
5-10 coriander seeds, crushed with the flat side of a knife
A few fresh basil leaves (my basil is at the end of its season, so I used basil flowers instead, which worked really well!)
A sprig of thyme
A slice of lime
Method
Make sure all your liquid ingredients are as cold as possible before you begin.
Wrap the peeled cucumber around the inside of your cocktail glass, pressing it to the side of the glass with your fingers.
Put the gin, tonic water, soda water and lemon juice in a jug and stir gently with a cocktail stirrer (read: a knife, teaspoon or your fingers) to combine.
Pour into the cocktail glass, adding a couple of cubes of ice if desired. Top with the dried juniper berries, basil leaves (or flowers!), coriander seeds and fresh thyme. Garnish with a slice of lime. Drink!