Thirst Quenchers There is something about monsoon that calls for extra leeli cha and ginger – it calls for extra in chai, but also in my cocktails. Here is a recipe for a cocktail with a little hint of lemongrass and ginger for an added hit to your cocktail, and the martini glass does a beauty job! The Recipe Serves Ingredients Syrup: 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 15 x 3 cm length lemongrass stalks 3 x 3 cm length ginger pieces Cocktail: 60 ml vodka 1-2 tsp Dry vermouth 2 tbsp lemongrass ginger syrup 1-2 fresh lemongrass stalks (optional) ice Instructions Syrup: Put all the ingredients in a sauce pot and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring regularly until all the sugar has dissolved Set aside to cool down Strain into glass bottle Store in the refrigerator Cocktail: In a shaker, add the lemongrass stalk and muddle to release juice Add syrup, vermouth and vodka and stir Add ice and shake Strain into glass

Thirst Quenchers Remember when we made the lemongrass syrup for the mango sorbet? Well leftover syrup is a great thing to have in the fridge, particular during happy hour and the simplicity of a simple syrup can vastly change the game of your cocktail. Particularly when it is infused with fresh lemongrass form your garden! This one is a simple 1:2 sugar to water ratio, lots of desi leeli chai doused in. cooled and brought into the fridge to store for weeks! I also add a few lashings of orange bitters – because why not? For me lemongrass and orange is a great combination and that hit of citrus is perfect! Substitutes: can use same recipe for gin The Recipe Serves Ingredients 60 ml vodka 1 tbsp lemongrass syrup 2-3 lashings of orange bitters club soda fresh lemongrass stalk Instructions in serving glass, add the syrup and bitters, stir if you like Add ice Then add the vodka Top up with soda and garnish with a fresh stalk of lemongrass