This World Cocktail Day, we had the pleasure of discovering what people are drinking on the Italian Riviera this spring season.
And, fresh and light cocktails are the order of the day, according to Erwan Garofano, the Bar Manager at the Grand Hotel Bristol on the Portofino Coast.
Garofano connected with us to show us how to make one of the bar’s most popular drinks, a Gin Basil Coast.
Tempting us with its wonderfully light and refreshing green colour from the basil Syrup, the drink uses a variety of local ingredients to reflect the flavours of the area. It is a cocktail that evokes Italian romance and elegant simplicity with clean flavours.
But as Garofano shows us, the Gin Basil Coast is easy to make at home, even if you are not in Italy this spring.
Basil Gin Coast
Ingredients
- 40 ml Portofino Gin
- 40 ml di Vermentino di Levante (or a classic white wine such as Chardonnay)
- 15 ml Basil infused simple syrup
- 20 ml Lemon Juice
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, then strain into a chilled Martini glass.
Basil Infused Simple Syrup – To make the quicker, clear version, simply add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water to a saucepan with a handful of Basil leaves. Bring to a boil and simmer for one minute. Let stand until cool and strain.
To make the green version make an Oleo-Saccharum by adding equal amounts of basil leaves to sugar in a sealable bag. Leave to sit for two days, then blend with an equal amount of water. Put the mixture in a saucepan over heat until the sugar has dissolved, then strain into a resealable jar and let cool.
Garnish glass with green infusion – Combine .5-ounce unsalted butter with a handful of fresh basil leaves in a food processor. Taking the back of a spoon, thinly swipe a layer across the inside of the glass and chill before use
