My New Favorite Cocktail

Every hour is happy hour with this delicious cocktail!


My go-to cocktail is usually a Dragonfly (gin, ginger ale, lime), but lately, I've been looking for a new drink -- preferably one that isn't named after an insect that terrifies me. (Yes, I do run and hide when I see one. The insect, not the drink.)

So, I was thrilled when I turned the page of a recent issue of Bon Appétit magazine and saw my new favorite cocktail staring back at me.  I got up off the couch and made a batch immediately. It doesn't hurt that I have a gorgeous patch of tarragon growing in a planter on the patio. (I may actually need to plant a few more, because I plan on drinking this all summer long.) Also, our recent SodaStream purchase is again being put to good use.

The recipe below comes from that BA issue, but I changed up the club soda instructions a bit: instead of mixing the club soda with the gin, St-Germain, and lemon juice in the pitcher, I added it to each glass. (I didn't want it to go flat.) If you're serving more than two glasses at a time, feel free to pour the soda in with the gin as the magazine instructs. Also, I didn't have St-Germain in the house, so I reduced the amount of sugar and used elderflower cordial, which I happened to find in the fridge.

Yum.

Sparkling Tarragon Gin Lemonade 
Adapted from the June 2013 issue of Bon Appétit magazine

Ingredients:
10 large sprigs of fresh tarragon
2 lemons, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 cup gin
3/4 cup elderflower cordial
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
Club soda

To Do:
  • Muddle tarragon sprigs, lemon slices, and sugar in a large pitcher. Add gin, elderflower cordial, and lemon juice.  
  • Fill a glass with ice and pour lemonade mixture over ice, filling glasses about 3/4 full. Top off with the club soda.
  • Enjoy.
  • Repeat.
Cheers!
xoxo