Mixology Monday is a monthly online cocktail party that brings together bloggers and drinkers to create cocktails around a particular theme. This month’s venerable host is 12 Bottle Bar, who chose “Come to Your Senses” as the theme. Some details from our host –

We all know that cocktails are supposed to taste good, and for this event, we’re going to take that as a given.  What we’re looking for, instead, are drinks that truly excite one or more of the other senses: touch, smell, sight, or even hearing.

That said, I got to experimenting. Sounds and sensations are great, but nothing beats burying your face in a drink with great aromas. So I went the aroma route. After a cursory glance at the home stash, basil came to mind. It’s fresh, clean, smells great and grows on my balcony. Done.

gin basil sourThis drink starts with the basic sour template – spirit, citrus, sugar – and adds some basil for flavor and color. From there, I made a basil foam with torn basil leaves, powdered sugar and egg white, and topped the drink for even more basil goodness. Given its creamy nature, we’ll claim this as a twofer – good aromas and some great texture on the palate.

Basil Gin Sour with Basil Foam

2 ounces dry gin
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
3/4 ounce simple syrup
Basil leaves
Basil foam*

Muddle 3-4 basil leaves with lime juice and simple syrup. Add gin, and shake with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, top with basil foam and garnish with a basil leaf.

*Basil Foam — Tear or cut two basil leaves into tiny pieces, and mix with 1 ounce egg white and 1 teaspoon powdered sugar. Shake like hell until it turns thick and foamy.

There you have it. Dive in and you’re enveloped with fresh basil goodness. The aroma is very inviting, and the foamy top melds with the cold, refreshing drink for a nice balance of crisp and creamy. Good times all around.

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