Garden of Eden Cocktail
Enter the lush embrace of the Garden of Eden. Allow these fresh botanical flavors to transport you and your partner to a paradise of love, temptation, and pure bliss.
INGREDIENTS
- ⅓ cup peeled and chopped English cucumber, plus lengthwise cucumber slices for garnish
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 4 large (or 6 medium) basil leaves
- 3 ounces gin
- 2 ounces elderflower liqueur
INSTRUCTIONS
If desired, chill two coupe glasses in the freezer for 20 minutes. In a cocktail shaker, combine the chopped cucumber, lime juice, and simple syrup. Muddle to extract as much of the liquid from the cucumber as possible. Add the basil leaves and gently press them with the muddler to release their oils. Add the gin and elderflower liqueur. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well until cold, 20 to 30 seconds. Double strain into the two chilled glasses. Fold the long cucumber slices over themselves in an S pattern and use a toothpick to secure. Garnish each glass with a cucumber toothpick (alternatively, garnish each drink with a cucumber round).
Non Alcoholic Version
Increase the amount of lime juice to 2 ounces and swap the gin and elderflower liqueur for 3 ounces elderflower syrup and 6 ounces of club soda.
Follow the beginning of the recipe (muddling) as written. Add the elderflower syrup, and fill the shaker with ice. Shake well until cold, 20 to 30 seconds. Double strain into two rocks glasses, over ice. Top off each glass with 3 ounces of the club soda. Garnish each glass with a cucumber round.
Excerpted from Kindred Spirits: Cocktails for Two by Stephanie Wahler (Chronicle Books, 2024). Reprinted with permission from the publisher.