She Strengthens

Elevate Your Cocktail Game with This Refined Basil Delight

When it comes to crafting the perfect cocktail, it’s all about balance and harmony. That’s exactly what Jordan Mackay, a seasoned bartender from San Francisco’s Cantina, achieved with his basil-infused masterpiece.

The Essential Ingredients

To recreate this refined cocktail, you’ll need a few key ingredients. First, there’s Amontillado sherry, a medium-bodied sherry with a subtle nutty flavor. You can find it at most liquor stores. Next, you’ll need a high-quality rye whiskey. Rye, considered the first American whiskey, may not be as popular as other whiskeys, but its distinct flavor profile is essential to this recipe. Jordan recommends Old Overholt rye, available at good liquor stores. Finally, no cocktail is complete without a dash of orange bitters. Regan’s brand is a popular choice, but you can also make your own.

A Simple yet Elegant Recipe

This easy-to-make cocktail requires minimal effort but yields maximum flavor. With a total preparation time of under 5 minutes, you can impress your friends and family with this sophisticated drink.

Gather Your Ingredients

• 5 fresh, blemish-free basil leaves, plus 1 leaf for garnish
• 3/4 ounce Amontillado sherry
• 1 1/2 ounces Old Overholt rye
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3/4 ounce Cointreau
• Dash orange bitters
• Ice
• Orange twist, for garnish

Crafting the Perfect Cocktail

1. Chill Your Glass: Start by chilling one 6-ounce cocktail glass.
2. Muddle the Basil: In a cocktail shaker, combine basil and sherry, muddling until the leaves are bruised and slightly broken up.
3. Add the Remaining Ingredients: Add rye, lemon juice, Cointreau, and bitters to the shaker.
4. Shake It Up: Fill the shaker with ice and close it. Shake vigorously 20 times to combine the ingredients.
5. Strain and Serve: Strain the cocktail into the chilled glass, garnish with a basil leaf or orange twist, and serve.

With its unique blend of flavors and refreshing twist on traditional cocktails, this basil-infused delight is sure to impress even the most discerning palates. So go ahead, give it a try, and elevate your cocktail game!