Summer Soiree aka I heart Hendricks

Okay, okay...so I know I just rolled out a drink menu I thought was going to stick around until like August or something...I've already had a wave of ideas that seem to be challenging that likelihood, and I couldn't wait to share this one with you.  Ever since our owner brought up the thought that he'd like to move more into "upscale southern" than be pigeon-holed into just "upscale BBQ" the right side of my brain has been in overdrive.  This week I plan on playing with southern-manufactured sodas in cocktails (thank you for the brilliant idea, Imbibe!).  In addition to that, I've been racking my own brain for the flavors that bring me back to my south(west)ern summers as a girl.  Two that really stand out for me are strawberry and watermelon.  We had our own strawberry patch on our property in Oklahoma, and watermelon is one of my favorite things EVER.  Blackberries are another (there was a bush/tree on the side of the road on my way to my school bus stop and we practically picked that thing bare throughout late spring and summer).  So are grapes.  I'll work on those another time.  For now, let's focus on strawberries and watermelon.

This is definitely a new personal favorite, and the fresh fruit and herb really bring out amazing qualities in an already amazing gin. I just renamed it (5/4/11), as I almost forgot that St. Germain calls their summer gift set "Summer Soiree." One of the first things that crossed my mind while I was creating this was the character Dill from To Kill A Mockingbird, so I thought...why not use the reference in the name?

Summer Soiree Mockingbird Summer 
Glass:  Small cocktail
Method:  Muddle, shake and strain
Garnish:  Large watermelon cube

Muddle
1 strawberry, cored and quartered
1 large watermelon cube
2 sprigs fresh dill
.25 oz Simple syrup
Juice of one lime wedge

Add:
2 oz Hendricks gin

Shake with ice and strain into a small cocktail glass.  Garnish with a large watermelon cube.  Love.