Friday Cocktail - Gin + Lemon + Mint Martini

Michael Ruhlman, a fabulous food writer and cookbook author recently blogged about a Chicago cocktail called the Southside. I had to try it.

Gin. Lemon. Mint. This cocktail is soooooo refreshing. And I never would have thought of this combination.  The mixture of the lemon and mint is amazing. And we have a pot full of mint and a tree full of lemons growing in our little back yard. Organic! Almost like health food.

I upped the ratio of lemon juice and substituted agave for the simple syrup. Make mine. Make Ruhlman's. Or invent your own ratio. There shouldn't be a lot of controversy. I mean it's not like it's a Manhattan or a martini. Either way you will love it.

Gin + Lemon + Mint Cocktail (faux Southside)

adapted from Michael Ruhlman, one of my favorite bloggers and authors. I have two of his books, Twenty, which is about cooking techniques that will make you a better cook, and Ratio, which is an outstanding book to help you create your own recipes.

2 parts good gin (I used Hendrick's). If you want to use vodka, go ahead, but really?
1 part lemon juice
two sprigs of mint leaves
1 tsp. agave syrup or 1 T simple syrup

Strip the mint leaves from the stems and muddle them at the bottom of a cocktail shaker or large glass. Add ice, gin, lemon juice, agave or simple syrup, and shake or stir.
Pour into a chilled martini glass.

You can only have one. Or maybe two. Cheers!