Eastside Gimlet

INGREDIENTS
3 cucumber slices
8-10 mint leaves
2 oz DFH Compelling Gin
¾ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz organic cane simple (2:1)

Throw the slices of cucumber into a tin, grab a muddler and smash them. Next, drop in the mint leaves. Now, add the rest of your ingredients and pack the tin with ice. Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds. Pull a modest mint bouquet (or if you’re like me, an audacious bouquet), place it on your palm and gently spank it a couple of times to release the oils. Use this to garnish the cocktail. Just don’t make it weird (unless you’re like me). Enjoy up or on ice. 

The Eastside Gimlet, a modern classic created in 2004, is among the most refreshing cocktails I have had the privilege to enjoy. I particularly love this cocktail because it’s how I sell people who claim to “hate gin” on gin. Here’s what many drinkers don’t realize: There are so many gins, with an absurd amount of variation in flavor, aroma and character. Unlike sharp London dry styles (think Tanqueray, Beefeater, Bombay), Compelling Gin is a modern style that balances unique botanicals such as green cardamom, hibiscus, lime leaves and cinnamon. Combine this spirit with cucumber and mint, and you have what will become your new summer favorite. By the way, if you enjoy showing off to your friends like I do, just use a Y-peeler to shave long, thin strips of cucumber and dress the inside of the highball glass.