Citrus Summer Babe

I’m comin’ at ya with another gin cocktail. I’m sort of sorry if you hate gin. It’s my favorite and this IS the season of mixed drinks. To me, there’s no better cocktail pairing than gin and citrus. I’m convinced these two things were made for each other- especially in the summertime. Which is why this cocktail is named accordingly: Citrus Summer Babe. 

There’s just something about squeezing fresh citrus juice in the summer… it’s tradition. Whether it’s homemade lemonade, citrus bars, or a shaken cocktail, you can’t beat the age old combination of sweet meets tart. That’s why I really enjoyed playing bartender and making this particular cocktail. It was more of an experience- slicing and squeezing the lemons, taking in the aromatic qualities, and tasting the sticky sweet juices straight from my fingers.

Speaking of slicing lemons, I wanted to share the coolest knives I recently found. The block is shaped like a prism; it’s super modern, minimal, and hip. It’s almost like leaving a sculptural piece on your countertop. Pretty crazy, huh? Aside from looking cool, they’re pretty affordable and do a very nice job slicing and dicing. Ok, back to the cocktail…

Here’s what you need:

• 4 ounces gin
• 1.5 ounces Génépy des Alpes
• 1.5 ounces fresh lemon juice
• Lemon twist (or orange), for garnish

I kind of had a really hard time finding the Génépy des Alpes. It’s a French liquor that is sometimes difficult to locate here in the states. Depending on your state’s alcohol regulations, you could potentially order it online.

Combine the gin, Génépy des Alpes, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until outside is cold and frosty. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with lemon or orange twist.

Some of you tried the last gin cocktail I shared and the reviews were really really good. So glad you guys liked it! Let me know if you give this one a go, and share how it compares. Happy Friday! Let’s enjoy the last bit of summer.

*this recipe was adapted from bon appétit.