The peppery leaf isn’t just for salads – it’s also right at home in this sweet, sour and peppery Gimlet.
About the cocktail
Your first thought was right – this drink is referring to the salad leaf, not the spaceship. That wouldn’t make sense, but somehow this does. Rocket is just what we like in a cocktail ingredient. Small enough to fit in a shaker and loud enough to have a voice, these little leaves are packed with peppery flavour. Like anything with a kick, it definitely has a place in a cocktail, particularly this Rocket Gimlet. If you’re still processing putting salad leaves in a drink, set any spinach-smoothie thoughts aside. We’re not trying to disguise it, rocket has a flavour you want to taste. Think of it as any other spicy seasoning, like cayenne or a salty chilli rim on a Margarita. Except instead of using fingers to measure a pinch, you’re shaking that peppery goodness with ice to release bitter oils and a bold green colour that spinach never could. Based on the Southside (a Gimlet with mint), this sharp take has all the same sweet and sour tones from the lime and sugar, just with an extra tongue-spiking sensation from the peppery rocket that meshes with the botanical notes of gin. Every bit as unique as it sounds, this drink is delicate, yet rocket-fuelled with flavour.
Ingredients
50mL gin
20mL fresh lime juice 20mL sugar syrup 20 rocket leaves (small handful) Pinch of pepper Garnish: nasturtium leaf, or rocket and lime wheel
Method
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker Add cubed ice and shake until the outside of the tin is frosty Carefully fine strain into a glass Garnish with a nasturtium leaf, or rocket and a lime wheel
Dan’s top tips
Maybe you don’t do it with your apples, but this is a time to wash your produce. As an earth-sprouted ingredient, it’s best to give the rocket leaves a gentle rinse to avoid unwelcome gritty bits before gently pat-drying. Leave the bruising for the cocktail shaker.
Given you’re putting in the extra effort, think about how strong you want the rocket flavour to be. Small baby rocket is milder, whereas larger leaves are more intense and bitter. Choose the peppery heat that suits you. A nibble on a leaf should help you decide.
With the same focus on quality – you know what we’re about to say – freshly squeezed lime juice is best. As a very simple cocktail, each ingredient will be noticed. So, go for a gin that you like, too. Very important. But don’t worry, the garnishes are less serious. Have a little fun with a nasturtium leaf (yes, they’re edible!), more rocket, or a wheel of lime.
