Oh man. What a weekend! We are back home from a fun birthday adventure in Skamania. More on that later, in blog post form! It’s been such an amazing summer, but admittedly that has cut into my blogging time 🙂 And this was the first time ever that it was actually nice on my birthday. We took advantage of it by going hiking, hitting up the Hood River Hops Fest, and enjoying the Gorge.

But don’t you worry, Dave and I have also been cooking up all kinds of good stuff for early fall. We’re working on a salmon chowder recipe, for example. And a fall polenta bowl. It’s going to be tasty.

One of my favorite things of the summer has been my garden. Last spring, we embarked on a major garden overhaul. This summer, it has been so fun to enjoy the bounty we’ve been able to grow there. I’ve had enough space that I have been able to leave plants in the ground later, and dedicate space to an herb garden!

Let me tell you, it has been *wonderful* for my cocktail game. Herbs and flowers are the best garnishes, but one of my favorite things from the year has been this simple gin sour. You can use whatever combination you’d like – I like to do a mix of basil, mint and sage.

The Garden Martini

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz floral gin
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 2/3 oz basil simple syrup*
• a handful of mixed fresh herbs
• Add a handful of fresh basil leaves to your favorite simple syrup just as you’ve finished making it, while still warm. Allow the basil to steep for ten minutes.

Instructions

1. Muddle a handful of your favorite fresh herbs in the bottom of a shaker, then add a handful of ice.
2. Shake gin, lemon juice and syrup for 10-15 seconds, or until icy cold. strain into a martini glass and garnish with a sprig of fresh herbs.