Lemon  Basil Gimlet

If you live in Chicago, make sure you order a gimlet at Matchbox. For everyone else, these are a pleasant alternative.

Serves 2

YOU WILL NEED

• fresh basil

• lemons

• vodka

• powdered sugar

• ice

• sugar syrup or superfine sugar

• muddler or wooden spoon

METHOD

Moisten the rim of two highball glasses.

Sprinkle 1-2 T powdered sugar on a small plate and dredge the rim of the glass in the sugar. Set aside.

In a shaker, combine:

Zest of one lemon (peel a lemon using a vegetable peeler, being careful to just peel the top yellow layer, without the white pith)

4 fresh basil leaves

1 T sugar (preferably superfine)

Muddle together. If you don't have a muddler, use the handle of a wooden spoon to smash the basil and lemon zest into the sugar so that the essential oils are released.

Add to the shaker:

3-4 shots vodka

3-4 shots fresh squeezed lemon juice

6 ice cubes

Shake vigorously. Taste and adjust if necessary (I don't like anything to be too sweet - you may prefer yours with a bit more sugar than indicated here).

Add 4 ice cubes to each sugar-coated glass and strain prepared gimlets into each. Top with one fresh basil leaf and serve.