Basil Vermouth Cooler Food

VERMOUTH COOLER

Steps:

• Put the ice cubes in a highball glass, add the vermouth and rasberry syrup and fill with club soda. Garnish with orange slice.

BASIL VERMOUTH COOLER

Steps:

• Make basil-infused dry vermouth: Place the basil in one hand and use the other to lightly slap the leaves, releasing the aromatics. Add the leaves to the vermouth either in the bottle itself or in a large, clean container. (You may need to pour out an ounce of vermouth to fit in all the leaves. If this is the case, pour the vermouth into a glass with an ice cube and garnish with a citrus twist. Drink while you infuse the rest.) Cover and set aside to infuse at room temperature for 3 hours. Strain the vermouth through a fine-mesh strainer, removing and discarding the basil leaves, and rebottle in the original bottle. Store in the refrigerator and use the basil-infused vermouth within 3 weeks.
• Make the cocktail: Fill a Collins or highball glass with ice. Add the sherry, basil-infused vermouth and olive brine. Top with tonic and soda water. Place the basil sprig in one hand and use the other to lightly slap the leaves, releasing the aromatics. Garnish with the basil, lemon peel and olives.

PORTO COOLER

Steps:

• In a wider-mouthed highball glass, tuck the citrus wheels around the sides of the glass, adding ice as you move up the glass. (The ice will help keep them in place.) Add the port, vermouth and bitters. Tuck a straw into the glass and top with tonic.