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The Green Vesper

4.4

(2)

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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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