Let’s Talk about Mixology, Part 53

by Amer A. Vargas

Peppermint-Lemon Gimlet

As Spring is about to arrive in the northern hemisphere, the days are becoming longer and temperatures warmer. It feels nice to go out wearing fewer layers of clothing and even nicer to spend some time outside with friends and acquaintances, enjoying the clement weather.

This month’s cocktail is one of the simplest one can find, as it only mixes a few very basic ingredients, but we are going to give it a creative final touch by adding a common garnish as well as an uncommon one.

As I said, the recipe is quite simple but if you want to make the most of this cocktail, it calls for some preparation in advance: take 3-4 peppermint leaves and infuse them with 2.5 oz / 70 ml. of vodka for at least 15 minutes (infusions can be started up to 2 days prior).

When the time comes for the cocktail to be served, remove the peppermint leaves from the vodka and place them in a highball or lowball glass together with a few ice cubes; pour the vodka in a shaker together with a tablespoon of simple syrup, the juice of half a lemon and more ice cubes and shake well. Strain into the glass and garnish with a lemon peel or with a lemon slice. Finish by decorating with a colorful and nicely perfumed (preferably edible) flower, like the beautiful white-speckled violet in our photograph on the right.

Enjoy and cheers!

Mr. Vargas is the Institute’s President—feel free to contact him via email, AmerVargas @ modernbutlers.com

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.