Cocktails
20130623-256965-kale-collins.jpg

[Photographs: Autumn Giles]

This cocktail's a fresh green take on a traditional gin collins, made with muddled lovage, cucumber slices, and lemon juice.

Lovage is a leafy herb reminiscent of celery. You can find it at your local farmer's market or in a generous friend's backyard. I've found that folks who grow it often have more than they know what to do with and would be happy to share it!

Note: Your juice yield will vary depending on which juicer you use. We found that it takes about 3/4 pound of kale to produce 4 ounces of juice.

To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cool before using. Simple syrup will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

About the Author: Autumn Giles is a writer in Queens, NY. You can see her work on Autumn Makes & Does, listen to her talk on the Alphabet Soup Podcast, and talk at her on twitter.

Every recipe we publish is tested, tasted, and Serious Eats-approved by our staff. Never miss a recipe again by following @SeriousRecipes on Twitter!

About This Recipe

Yield: makes one cocktail
Active time: 15 min
Total time: 15 minutes
Special equipment: juicer, muddler

Ingredients

  • 9 lovage leaves
  • 3 (1/4-inch) cucumber slices
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup (see note above)
  • 1 1/2 ounces Hendrick's gin
  • 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon
  • 3/4 ounce kale juice (see note above)
  • 2 ounces chilled seltzer
  • Garnish: Lovage leaf and thin cucumber slice

Procedures

  1. Muddle lovage leaves with the cucumber slices in a Collins glass or small mason jar.

  2. Add simple syrup, gin, lemon juice, and kale juice. Stir to combine. Fill glass with ice, top with seltzer and stir gently to mix. Garnish cocktail with lovage and thin cucumber slice.