Shaken Summer Gin & Tonic

Recipe by Brittany Lindsey
(Serves 4)

INGREDIENTS   
•  ¼ of a small, local, seedless watermelon,
diced into ½-inch pieces (about 1 cup)

•  A few small slices of watermelon
(for garnish)

•  ¼ of a seedless English cucumber,
diced into ¼-inch pieces (about ½ cup)

•  A few slices of cucumber (for garnish)

•  7–10 basil leaves

•  1 large lime (part halved and the other part
cut in wedges for garnish)

•  4 oz of your favorite gin (I use Hendrick’s)

•  Tonic water (enough to satisfy the desired
strength of your drink — I do 3 oz for every
1 oz of gin)

•  Ice

•  Simple syrup  (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
In a large cocktail shaker add watermelon, cucumber and basil leaves. With a muddler, or wooden spoon, smash these items together until it becomes a cohesive blend. There will still be a few chunks. Squeeze in half the lime and add simple syrup to taste. Finally, add ice and your gin.

Cap off the cocktail shaker and give it a few hard shakes to combine all ingredients. Top with a strainer if you would prefer it to be smooth, or simply pour straight into your highball or rocks glasses, along with some fresh ice and top off with a few ounces of cold tonic water. My favorite garnish for a gin & tonic is a wedge of lime, but creativity can rule this drink — garnish with slices of cold watermelon, cucumber, lime or basil!

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