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The Green Vesper

4.4

(2)

Image may contain Drink Cocktail Alcohol Beverage Glass Liquor Goblet and Plant
Photo by Chelsea Kyle

Simple syrup is an easy way to add unexpected flavors—like, well, vegetables—to your drinks. This Arugula Simple Syrup makes about ⅔ cup, which is enough for about 10 servings of this riff on the classic vesper cocktail.

Cooks' Note

The arugula simple syrup can be made up to 5 days in advance and refrigerated.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    55 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients

For the Arugula Simple Syrup:

1/2 cup sugar
3 cups arugula

For the cocktail:

1 1/2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce vodka
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
Pinch of salt

Preparation

  1. Make the Arugula Simple Syrup:

    Step 1

    Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, bring mixture to a simmer, and cook, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let cool slightly, pour into a heatproof vessel, and chill at least 35 minutes.

    Step 2

    Purée simple syrup and arugula in a blender until liquefied. Using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined colander, strain mixture into an airtight container and chill.

  2. Make the cocktail:

    Step 3

    Combine gin, vodka, lemon juice, salt, and 1/2 oz. arugula simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and stir until outside of shaker is frosty, about 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora or coupe glass.

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