The Bail-ica Cocktail comes from Chris Milligan, head bartender at the Secreto Lounge in Santa Fe, New Mexico and the blogger behind The Santa Fe Barman. I like how he chose to pair fresh basil with Plymouth Gin instead of a London dry because Plymouth has that fruity profile that works so well against herbs. The elderflower and two bitters are just the icing on the cake that brings it all into balance.
About the Basil-ica, Milligan says, "I believe the cocktail is the real First Course and sets the tone for the rest of the evening, whether you’re dining out or bar hopping."
Read more of my interview with Milligan...
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes
Yield: 1 Drink
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Plymouth Gin
- 1/2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 oz 1:1 simple syrup
- 1/2 oz St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
- 4 large basil leaves
- Dash of Regan’s Orange Bitters
- Dash of Peychaud’s Bitters
- GARNISH: Basil Leaf and long orange twist.
Preparation:
- Muddle basil with the lemon juice and simple syrup in the bottom of a mixing glass.
- Add Gin, elderflower liqueur, and the bitters.
- Add ice and cap the mixing glass with a Boston shaker.
- Shake for 10-12 seconds, the strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- To garnish, roll up the basil leaf then wrap the orange twist around and place inside the glass.
