How to Make Sage Advice, an Herb-Inspired, Gin-Based Cocktail

In full honesty, I’m a terrible cook. As in, I’m a “can’t properly make premade food” type of cook. My girlfriend on the other hand, could have been an award-winning chef in another life. So, making cocktails is a perfect way for us to bond in the kitchen (huzzah! Something I can actually “cook”). We both love herbal and floral notes, and have created a number of different cocktails. One of our favorites is the Sage Advice, which is an herb-inspired cousin to a classic cocktail, the Aviation.

Craving a tangy, earthy, lightly-herbal cocktail or the sage wisdom to not drunk text your ex again? Look no further!

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For those less familiar with bartending that saw egg on the ingredient list and thought, “Egg white?! What?!” When shaken, egg whites create a silky, smooth, delicious foam that cuts through acid and rounds out this drink beautifully. Each sip is complemented by a balanced flavor and mouthfeel – so my Sage Advice is give egg whites a try if you haven’t before!

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SAGE ADVICE

MAKES 1 COCKTAIL

• 1 oz. lemon juice infused with ~3 fresh sage leaves overnight
• 3/4 oz. simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar)
• 1/4 oz. Creme de Violet 
• 2 oz. St. George’s Terroir Gin (any gin will work for this drink, but we think St. George’s Terrior pairs beautifully with the other flavors and adds unique depth)
• 1 additional fresh sage leaf
• 1 egg white
• Lemon peel 
• ~1 cup ice
• Martini or cosmo glass

1. Sage-infused lemon juice: Place 2-3 fresh sage leaves in 1 oz of lemon juice, briefly shake or stir, and leave overnight in the fridge in an airtight container
2. Simple syrup: Make simple syrup by combining ¼ cup water and ¼ cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan on medium to low heat until sugar is fully dissolved. Allow to cool before use (you only need a little bit of simple syrup for this recipe, so leftovers can last about a week in an airtight container in the fridge)
3. Peel a lemon to get 2-3 strips of peel (~¼ inch thick, it doesn’t need to be perfect)
4. Hold 1 strip of lemon peel low into the base of a serving glass and bend and twist to release lemon oils. Then, rub the peel along the inner and outer rim of the glass as well, repeat process if lemon peel strips are small or for extra lemon flavor. Reserve 1 lemon peel for garnish
5. Add 2 oz gin, 1 oz sage-infused lemon juice, ¾ oz simple syrup, ¼ oz Creme de Violet, and 1 egg white into a drink shaker (NOT the ice yet) and shake for ~30 seconds to ensure the egg white is adequately emulsified 
6. Add in enough ice to fill about half of the shaker and shake again vigorously for about 15-30 seconds until a foam forms
7. Strain into prepared cosmo or martini serving glass (this drink is great with a wider glass so you get a mix of foam and liquid in each sip. Too narrow of a glass may cause you to get mouthfuls of foam without any liquid)
8. Gently float a fresh sage leaf and lemon peel on the top of the foam to garnish
9. Voila! Now go forth and spread your wisdom young Padawan. Drink. Or do not drink. There is no try