This recipe comes from Katherine's brother Joel, a master mixologist.
1 cup sugar
1 large bunch basil, coarsely chopped, plus extra for garnish
Ice
12 tablespoons gin
8 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1. Make a basil simple syrup: simmer sugar with ¾ cup water and the basil. Simmer until the sugar dissolves, then let steep for 20 minutes or more. Strain to remove basil.
2. Fill 4 cocktail glasses with ice. In each glass, pour 3 tablespoons gin, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 4 tablespoons basil simple syrup.
3. Garnish each glass with a fresh basil sprig and serve immediately.
Tip: add lemon juice and chilled water to simple syrup for a basil lemonade that the kids will love!