GIN & GINGER LIME SPARKLER
Memorial Day is the unofficial opening weekend for barbecues and casual summer get-togethers. While chilled rosé and iced buckets of beer are perfectly respectable (and delicious) offerings, consider serving a light and refreshing cocktail to kick off your next warm weather gathering. This fizzy Gin and Ginger Lime Sparkler also makes a wonderful mocktail—skip the gin and you have delicious minted ginger ale to serve guests of every age!
GIN & GINGER LIME SPARKLER
serves 2
INGREDIENTS
6 mint leaves, plus more for garnish
2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
4 ounces gin
2 ounces ginger simple syrup (recipe below)
club soda or seltzer
lime slices for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Place 6 mint leaves in bottom of a cocktail shaker and crush with a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon. Add a scoop of ice, lime juice, gin, and ginger simple syrup.
Close the lid tightly and shake. Pour evenly into two glasses filled with ice. Top with club soda or seltzer and garnish with lime slices and mint sprigs.
GINGER SIMPLE SYRUP
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon peeled and grated fresh ginger
INSTRUCTIONS
In a small sauce pan, bring the water, sugar, and grated ginger to a boil over moderate heat. Reduce to a simmer and stir until the sugar has melted completely. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 20 minutes.
Strain through a fine mesh strainer and chill. Store in refrigerator for up to two weeks.