Love Me Gingerly Martini

This martini combines some of my favorite flavors — ginger, sage, elderflower and gin. It came about partially because of what I had on hand, but also in attempts to come near the flavor of the “Sage of Consent” I so loved at Elliot’s Martini Bar in Fort Collins.

Ingredients

2 oz gin
1 oz ginger liqueur (recipe here, or use Domaine de Canton)
1/2 oz elderflower liqueur (I prefer St. Germaine)
1/2 oz sage simple syrup (if you just want ginger flavor, you can use plain simple syrup)
1/2 small lime’s juice

Directions

To make the sage simple syrup (which should be done in advance), you’ll add equal parts sugar (I usually do a cup of each) and water in a saucepan, then add 8 sage leaves per each half cup of sugar to the water. You’ll want to give the leaves a nice slap against your hand to encourage the release of the oils. Simmer the water for 15 minutes or so and stir to dissolve the sugar. Let cool completely before use.

Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until the shaker is frosty against your hands, around 30 seconds to a minute. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with sage leaves.