I'm not exactly sure why, but I don't really drink gin. I rarely make cocktails with gin as the main ingredient and worry that I may in fact be scared of this manly man's liquor. Usually one stays away from a certain type of alcohol because of an unfortunate experience, yet as I look back through my memory recorder, I can not recall any horrid gin-induced hangovers or embarrassing drunken spectacles. My fear is especially irrational because I find myself sipping on my dad's gin and tonics practically every evening.

So it's time I confront gin. I'll do so by giving it a super feminine makeover and mix up a cocktail called the Lap of Luxury. With a name that fabulous, this cocktail that was favored by Audrey Hepburn, is sure to be an interesting taste sensation. For the recipe,

Lap of Luxury
From Plymouth Gin [1]

2 oz. Plymouth gin (I figured go with what the recipe calls for, but you can use a different gin if you'd like)
1 1/4 oz fresh squeeze Pink grapefruit juice
1/2 oz. Elderflower cordial [2]
1 dash of simple syrup (mix equal parts boiling water and sugar)
1 slice of watermelon

1. To a shaker filled with ice add gin, elderflower cordial,
   watermelon wedge, simple syrup and pink grapefruit juice.
2. Shake
   vigorously to break up the watermelon.
3. Strain into a tall glass filled
   with crushed ice. Garnish with a watermelon ball and a slice of lemon.

Makes one cocktail.

Substitute: Black currant or apple liquor for the elderflower cordial.

Print recipe with images [2] | without images [2]