I Dream of Greenie

I Dream of Greenie
  • Yield:Makes 1 cocktail and enough syrup for 12 drinks
  • Active time:15 minutes
  • Total time:20 minutes

The perfect spring gin drink. [Photo: Vicky Wasik]

This cocktail tastes just like spring: bright, herbal, cooling, and peppery.

Why It Works

The classic combo of peas and mint in drinkable form. Read the Whole Story
  • Herbal gin brings out the fresh notes in this minty cocktail. Use a clean London Dry like Bombay Dry or Beefeater.
  • Arugula highlights the peppery side of the drink and keeps things from getting too sweet.

Ingredients

  • For the Minty Pea Syrup:
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 mint tea bags (see note above)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups chopped sugar snap peas (in pod), chopped
  • 1/2 cup packed fresh arugula
  • For Each Cocktail:
  • 1 1/2 ounces London Dry Gin
  • 1 ounce Minty Pea Syrup
  • 3/4 ounce fresh juice from 1 lemon
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, for garnish

Directions

  1. 1.

    For the Minty Pea Syrup: Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan and add mint tea bags (see note above if you'd prefer to use fresh mint). Remove from heat, steep for 4 minutes. Remove tea bags and add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Let cool.

  2. 2.

    Add 1 1/2 cups cooled mint syrup, sugar snap peas, and arugula to a blender. Blend until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, seal, and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 days. You should have enough syrup for 12 drinks.

  3. 3.

    For Each Cocktail: Add gin, Minty Pea Syrup, lemon juice, and salt to a cocktail shaker. Fill 2/3 full with ice and shake until well chilled, about 10 seconds. Double-strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with black pepper and serve.