Witch in the Garden
A light, ethereal gin sour using Strega as a botanical highlighter for the rose and cucumber notes of Hendrick's gin.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin — Hendrick's recommended
- 0.25 oz Strega
- 0.75 oz Fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz Simple syrup
- 2–3 slices Cucumber — For muddling
Story
When we transitioned to gin, I specified Hendrick’s. Because Hendrick’s is more delicate than a London Dry, you suggested this recipe to use Strega in a restrained “modifier” role. The muddled cucumber ensures the gin’s core identity isn’t lost to the saffron and mint of the Strega.
Method
- Muddle the cucumber slices in the base of the shaker.
- Add gin, Strega, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Fill with ice and shake vigorously.
- Fine-strain into a chilled coupe to remove cucumber debris.
Notes
- Only 0.25 oz of Strega is vital here; any more overwhelms the rose notes of the Hendrick’s.
- A garden cousin to the Fig & Cucumber Sour in the catalog — same template (Hendrick’s + cucumber + citrus + simple, shaken sour), different modifier.