Oftentimes, we find inspiration for an original cocktail recipe by playing off of a tried-and-true classic. That was definitely the case with The Ministress, a signature cocktail we designed for a Spring bride in 2022.
Our client was looking for something bright, Springtimey, fresh and fruity. What really got our attention was her enjoyment of the classic Pimm’s Cup, a combination of the gin-fortified, slightly bitter orange liqueur paired with a carbonated soda like Sprite or ginger ale and festooned with citrus and other fruits.
The result was this concoction that took the elements that made a Pimm’s Cup great and dialed them up to the next level. Here’s how to make The Ministress at home:
The Ministress
In a Collins glass, add
1.5 oz gin (or vodka if preferred)
1 oz orange ginger syrup *
0.5 oz lemon juice
2 - 3 expressed basil leaves
2 oz orange seltzer (such as La Croix)
Ice
Insert 2 lemon half wheels into drink and top with a straw
*How to make orange ginger syrup
In a juicer, produce 3 oz of raw ginger juice, set aside.
In a sauce pan, add 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of orange juice
Set stove range to High, and continuously stir mixture until boiling bubbles begin to form
Set aside to cool
Add 3 oz of raw ginger juice to mix
Bottle and store in fridge for future use