Kiwi Gin Fizz

It's finally spring, and spring always makes me want an ice-cold cocktail. Gin is typically my go-to spirit, and I love mixing it with fruit, like my blackberry-lemon gin and tonic. I first experienced this tasty cocktail at Katsuya, a swanky Japanese restaurant in LA, where they called this a Kiwi Envy. I enjoyed it so much, I couldn't wait to get home to recreate it.

This cocktail sort of resembles a gin fizz, which is typically lemon juice, sugar and sometimes egg whites, topped with sparkling water. Here, you add a delicious kiwi, St-Germain (a liqueur flavored with elderflowers), and lime juice instead of lemon. Topped with a little Perrier, you've got yourself a new twist on an old classic. 

INGREDIENTS (MAKES 1 COCKTAIL):

• 1 kiwi, peeled

• 1 kiwi slice for garnish

• 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

• 3/4 oz. St-Germain

• 3/4 oz. simple syrup

• 2 oz. gin (I used Hendrix)

• Perrier Sparkling Water

DIRECTIONS

1. Peel kiwi, reserving 1 slice for garnish.
2. Add remaining kiwi to cocktail shaker and muddle well. 
3. Add gin, St-Germain, lime juice and simple syrup.
4. Top with ice and vigorously shake for at least 10 seconds.
5. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice.
6. Top with Perrier and stir. Garnish with kiwi slice.

Photo by Jonathan Stiers ©2018