"Shizuka" Cocktail Recipe

Try this exotic refresher from Manresa's artisan cocktail collection, recipe courtesy of Jeff Bareilles, Manresa's Wine and Beverage Director.

Shizuka
8¼ inch thick cucumber slices
12 small shiso leaves
¼ cup Hendrick’s gin
6 Tbsp. tonic water (Fentimans tonic water preferably)
¼ cup aloe juice (note that aloe juice can be obtained at almost any Asian market)
2 tsp. VEP Green Chartreuse
ice

• Muddle cucumber and shiso in a cocktail shaker. Add gin and muddle again. Fill shaker half way with ice cubes add tonic, aloe juice and Chartreuse. Stir well. Fill old fashion glass half way with ice. Strain cocktail into glass. Garnish with shiso leaves.

Jeff's tip: To make your own large ice cubes, use a Tovolo King Cube Jumbo-Ice-Cube mold.