Faux 75 Recipes

FAUX 75

Steps:

• Shake sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons hot tap water in a cocktail shaker until sugar dissolves. Strain into Champagne flutes. Top with the bitter lemon. Garnish with twists.

CUCUMBER AND TONIC

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, peel the cucumber lengthwise until you have long, wide ribbons.
• Place a few slices of lime and mint leaves in the bottom of a Collins glass, or other tall glass, and, using a wooden spoon, lightly muddle them to release the juices in the lime and oils in the mint. Add a few strips of cucumber and fill the glass with ice (crushed, if you've got it).
• Top with tonic water and a few dashes of bitters, if using.

NONALCOHOLIC FRENCH 75

Steps:

• In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine the Sweet Bay-Peppercorn Shrub, lemon juice and bitters, if using. Cover and shake until well chilled. Strain into a Nick and Nora or coupe glass, and top with soda water and tonic. Finish with the lemon twist.

DARK 'N' STORMY MOCKTAIL

Steps:

• Make the cordial: In a medium bowl, combine the lime zest, sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, pepper and cloves. Use your fingers to rub the zest and spices into the sugar until the sugar is green and very fragrant. Slowly pour in the lime juice, whisking to combine and dissolve the sugar completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, up to 24. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve; pressing on the solids. (You should have about 1½ cups cordial.) Discard the solids, and keep the cordial in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Make the chilled black tea: In a tea kettle or small saucepan over high heat, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the tea. Allow to steep for 10 minutes, then remove the tea bags or, if using loose-leaf tea, strain through a fine-mesh sieve and set aside to cool completely, then refrigerate. Keep it chilled in the refrigerator, tightly covered in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.
• Make the cocktail: Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the tea and cordial. Top with ginger beer, stir gently to combine and finish with a lime wedge.