The Lush Chef

Now doesn't that just sound like spring?  I wish I had a garden to frolic in and drink this cocktail.  Or drink this cocktail while gardening.  For now, I'll just drink it.  It tastes like a genteel mojito, and it just might be the perfect cocktail to serve for an Easter brunch.  I found this recipe on The Kitchn and used just regular white rum because I didn't feel like buying a bottle of Banks 5 Island Rum.  This Lush Chef can only stock so many different liquors & liqueurs - let's be realistic.  It sounds intriguing though and I'd love to try it sometime.  To read up on who created the drink, why that rum was used and some British history (you should learn something new every day), check out the original posting.

You will need St. Germain (elderflower liqueur) for this recipe, and I highly recommend buying a huge bottle of this stuff.  My girlfriends and I go through it like water, and it's actual quite versatile (more on that later).    

Kew Garden Cocktail - serves 1

• 2 oz white rum
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1/2 oz St. Germain 
• 8 mint leaves, plus 1 sprig for garnish
• 3 cucumber slices, plus 1 for garnish
• club soda

- Muddle the mint leaves, cucumbers and simple syrup in a martini shaker or mixing glass.
- Add the rum, lime juice and St. Germain, shake and strain over a glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda and garnish with the mint leaf and cucumber.