Esca Spritz Recipe
basil gimlet. shaken bellini: white peach puree, a touch of orgeat, prosecco
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Ingredients
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Basil Gimlet
Shaken Bellini (white peach puree + orgeat)
Finish
Method
Basil Gimlet
- 1
Muddle basil
Place 8 fresh basil leaves in a cocktail shaker. Gently slap a few leaves between your hands first to release aroma. Add the basil to the shaker and gently muddle (press and twist) about 6–8 times to bruise the leaves and release oils—do not pulverize into bits.
- 2
Add liquids and shake
Add 2 oz gin, 0.75 oz fresh lime juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice (about 4 oz by volume). Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12–18 seconds until the shaker is cold and well-chilled.
- 3
Double strain
Double-strain the shaken gimlet into a separate clean mixing glass or small pitcher using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer (or a conical tea strainer) to remove basil bits. Set the strained basil gimlet aside while you prepare the bellini component.
Shaken Bellini (white peach puree + orgeat)
- 4
Make the peach puree
Peel and pit 1 ripe white peach; roughly chop and add to a cocktail shaker or blender. Add 0.25 oz orgeat, 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.25 oz simple syrup only if the peach isn't very sweet. Add a small handful of ice (about 2 oz) and shake (or blitz briefly in the blender) until you have a smooth puree. If using a shaker, strain the puree through a fine mesh strainer into a measuring vessel to remove fibers and obtain about 1.5–2 oz of silky peach puree.
- 5
Combine with gimlet
Add the measured peach puree (about 1.5–2 oz) to the reserved basil gimlet in the mixing glass/pitcher. Stir gently to combine—do not over-agitate, you want a homogenous base but still cold.
Finish
- 6
Assemble the spritz
If you prefer served over ice, fill a chilled wine glass or large coupe with a small amount of ice (about 2 oz). Pour the combined basil gimlet + peach mixture into the serving glass. Top with 3 oz chilled prosecco poured slowly to preserve effervescence. Give the glass one gentle stir (1–2 rotations) to integrate.
- 7
Garnish and serve
Garnish with a fresh basil sprig and a thin peach slice on the rim. Serve immediately while the prosecco is lively.