2 nickel-sized slices of fresh ginger
4 to 6 cilantro leaves
Dash of lime juice
1 1/2 ounces vodka
3/4 ounce St. Germain elderflower liqueur
Ginger ale
1 lime wheel, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, muddle together the fresh ginger, cilantro, and lime juice. Add the vodka and St. Germain. Fill the shaker with ice, shake well, and then strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top off the glass with ginger ale and garnish with the lime. Makes one St. Ginger.
We originally created this drink to pair with a sushi-inspired raw tuna dish on
our menu. Like the dish, it’s a play between Eastern and Western flavors:
cilantro, ginger, and St. Germain, a liqueur made from elderflowers. The
combination works because the spicy ginger and the clean, herbaceous flavor of
the cilantro help balance the honey-like floral sweetness of the St. Germain.
The cocktail as a whole is light and refreshing—perfect for a warm day. Dan
Guaydacan is the bar manager at Vita in Denver.
