Basil Smash

Our good friend and bartender, Trina at Beau's gave us this recipe for a dinner party as a signature drink and we've never looked back.  Deliciously crisp and refreshing.  Really smashing up the basil and a lot of it is key.  Make sure you strain before serving it or your guests will have it in there teeth.  Just fantastic on a warm summer night on the patio with good friends.

Good Dry English Gin (Bombay Sapphire)
Lemon juice
Basil
Simple Syrup
Lots of crushed ice
Garnish-
Cucumber slice
Basil leaf

In a shaker aggressively muddle a good bit of basil, simple syrup, and lemon juice.  Strain mixture into a high ball glass.  Fill glass with crushed ice and add gin.  Garnish with a slice of cucumber and basil.  Enjoy!

The elixir (basil, lemon, and syrup) can be made in a big batch and keeps for a week in the refrigerator.  Note of caution, use cheese cloth (I've used nylons before) to strain and remove all basil leaves.  If left in the mixture it will turn brown.