Today's Happy Hour cocktail comes from a restaurant in San Francisco called Nopa and was created by Neyah White, who some consider to be the city's best cocktail creator. Previously the restaurant's location housed a laundry business and the drink derives its name from this. I like it for its innovative use of basil. The recipe calls for a specific type of organic vodka but I made it with good old Grey Goose and it tasted just fine.

Washhouse
From Neyah White at Nopa

4 to 5 fresh basil leaves
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
1 1/2 oz. Square One organic vodka
1 sprig fresh thyme, as garnish

1. Place the basil, lime juice and the simple syrup into an empty mixing glass, and muddle with a wooden muddler.
2. Add ice and the vodka, and shake for approximately 15 seconds.
3. Strain through a fine strainer into a chilled cocktail glass, and add the garnish.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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