Ingredients:
4
Thai basil leaves
1 1/2 oz.
gin
3/4 oz.
prickly pear liqueur
3/4 oz.
lime juice
1/2 oz.
honey syrup
2 dashes
lavender bitters
Glassware & Tools:
Coupe Glass
Boston Shaker
Jiggers
Muddle
Hawthorne Strainer
Conical Strainer
Who else loves a piping-hot bowl of pho? There’s just something about the traditional Vietnamese soup that is incredibly satisfying… Perhaps it’s the from-scratch broth or the house-made rice noodles… Whatever it is, it’s absolutely delicious. What I enjoy most is the plate of fresh ingredients you receive with the soup. My personal favorite of these is the Thai basil.
Thai basil is native to Southeast Asia and was cultivated to provide distinctive traits and a robust flavor. Thai basil tastes nothing like the traditional basil you may think of… Rather, it’s slightly spicy and highlights notes of anise and licorice. The most common variety grown here is the United States is ‘Siam Queen’ – Which seemed like a fitting name for the cocktail.
Naturally, an herb as unique as this must be incorporated into a cocktail!
Pairing the Thai basil with honey helps mellow the spice a bit and incorporates some floral qualities. The gin compliments the Thai basil effortlessly while the prickly pear liqueur adds a gentle fruity note. Every good cocktail needs a bit of citrus, so lime juice did the trick. And the lavender bitters really round the flavor overall – adding just a tad more floral on the nose.
"Tom Collins" was a practical joke that became so widespread it was coined: The Great Tom Collins hoax of 1874. This legend inspired the creation of the light and refreshing cocktail we enjoy today.
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