Drink Mem Recipe

Chill glass

Place a highball or Collins glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill it with ice water while you assemble ingredients to chill it.

If using whole lemon, roll it on the countertop under your palm to release juices and then cut a thin wheel for garnish and squeeze fresh lemon for 0.75 oz (about 1 small lemon).

Muddle aromatics

In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker, place 6 fresh mint leaves and the light simple syrup (0.5 oz). Gently press and twist the leaves 6–8 times with a muddler — you want to release the oils without shredding the mint.

Add spirits and citrus

Add 2 oz vodka, 0.5 oz elderflower liqueur, and 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice to the muddled mint in the shaker.

Shake with ice

Add a handful of ice (about 3/4 cup) to the shaker, seal, and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels cold.

Prepare glass

Discard the ice water from the chilled glass if used and add 1 cup of fresh ice cubes to the glass.

Double-strain

Double-strain the shaken contents over the fresh ice into the chilled glass using a cocktail strainer and a fine mesh strainer to keep bits of mint out.

Top with sparkle

Gently pour 2 oz chilled sparkling water or club soda down the side of the glass to preserve effervescence. Stir once gently with a bar spoon (1–2 turns) to integrate.

Garnish & aroma

Slap the remaining mint sprig between your palms to wake the oils, place it in the glass, and finish with a lemon wheel or twist on the rim. Optionally run the lemon twist around the rim for extra aroma.