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BASIL LEMON GIMLET
Wrigley Mansion’s lighter take on a cold-weather cocktail BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ PHOTO BY AWE COLLECTIVE
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elieve it or not, the gimlet is the original “gin and juice.” “When it first rose to popularity in the 1920s, the recipe literally just called for gin and (lime) juice,” says Ben Sinon, general manager of Geordie’s at the Wrigley Mansion. But, a rise in the popularity of vodka led to a variation on the cocktail in the 1950s, and the vodka gimlet was born. “Even with the vodka variation, it is still a fairly light cocktail, perhaps one folks wouldn’t expect during winter months,” Sinon explains. “But given the mild fall, we wanted to give our guests at least a few seasonally-inspired options outside of heavy, cream-based offerings.” Sinon also wanted to give guests a little local flavor. “Several years ago, we planted an herb garden at Wrigley,” Sinon says. “We quickly realized our basil – especially the purple and sweet varieties – lent themselves perfectly to our cocktail program. Enter the Basil Lemon Gimlet. “We start with Pinnacle Vodka, which is smooth and soft with a very short finish,” Sinon says. “We then muddle in our sweet basil leaves, which cut the bite of the spirit without completely masking it.” From there, Sinon and his team swap out the traditional lime juice for fresh lemon juice, again to soften the flavor on the palate. The cocktail is served up in a martini glass with a basil leaf garnish for $13. Geordie’s at Wrigley Mansion, 2501 E. Telawa Trail, Phoenix; 602.955.4079; www.wrigleymansion.com. DECEMBER 2016 |
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