I love a good love story. Especially if it’s my story to tell.

In February of 2014, Quench published #FridayCocktail -Cucumber-Basil Martini, a cocktail recipe that I had picked up from a restaurateur I had recently met. After dining at his establishment, we struck up a conversation and he made me a great martini. So great, in fact, that I contacted him soon after to get the recipe and publish it here, for all our Quench readers to enjoy.

Well, I’m happy to report, that 15 months and many more conversations (and martinis) later, said restaurateur is now my partner, both in life and business. Perhaps it was our mutual love of drink and food, perhaps it was the martini. Either way, it was written in the stars and you, my Quench friends, will forever be a part of my love story. Have a martini tonight, on me. Cheers!

Ingredients

2 ounces Hendrick’s Gin

¼ cucumber, peeled and diced

¼ ounce fresh lime juice

2-3 fresh basil leaves

½ ounce simple syrup

Soda water

Ice

Preparation

Muddle cucumber, lime juice, basil and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.

Add gin and ice, shake well.

Strain and serve in a martini glass. Top with a splash of soda water.

Garnish with a thin slice of cucumber, skin on, on clear swivel across the glass.