Oh, there are so many more summer gin cocktail options than a mere gin and tonic. When the earth erupts with fruits, herbs, and fresh vegetables, the menu is boundless. Let’s start with watermelon.

Many of you have had watermelon and basil salads sprinkled with feta cheese, yes? Well, muddle that salad and pour in a couple of ounces of your favorite gin or vodka (I choose gin).

It’s fruity sweet, herbal, and refreshing. But *cave bibitor* (boozer beware): It goes down so easily, and potentially so quickly … but there ARE two ounces of gin in it. 

 Try not to over-indulge!

WATERMELON & BASIL COCKTAIL
1 slice Watermelon
7 leaves Basil (fresh!)
2 oz London Dry Gin
½ oz Simple syrup

With a muddler, bruise the basil leaves in the base of a shaker. Cut the watermelon flesh into roughly 1-inch cubes, and estimate how much of it would make a heaping pile in your cocktail glass. Add that much to the shaker and muddle it with the basil until the watermelon is liquified. Add the other ingredients, shake with ice, then fine-strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with another wedge of watermelon … or, to complete the salad simile, with a sprinkle of feta cheese and pepitas. 

Cheers to the summer!!