What to Drink: Hendricks Gin

The bottle looks like medicine... or snakeoil. You wonder if a hundred years ago they claimed that it cured syphilis, and you're sure that it was at least available. You're wrong. It does not cure syphilis (damn), and it was first made since you stopped needing a fake ID. It's barely even gin, but, damn, it's good. It is, technically, a gin thanks to the quantity of juniper in the mix, but the rose petals and cucumber in the infusion give it an elegant and somewhat wild character. There are more traditional gins in the world, but none so fascinating. The best way to serve it is chilled, up, with a slice of cucumber. This gin should rarely be adultered with tonic. Go for soda instead. If you feel the need to mitigate the strong, brash flavor, make a Badminton Cup. This cocktail comes to us by way of New York's Pegu Club and is only slightly modified.

• 1 1/4 oz. Hendricks Gin
• the juice of 1 whole lemon and/or lime (your preference)
  
• 5 leaves of mint
• 1 slice of cucumber
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• soda water
• highball glass
• rocks

Muddle the mint and cucumber in a shaker. Add the gin. Pour in the lemon juice and simple syrup. Stir. Pour over the rocks in a highball, and fill with soda water. Give it a quick stir and garnish with a sprig of mint stuck through the center of a cucumber slice. Serve on the porch in hot weather.