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!