Organic Dove

It’s another lovely spring evening in Tacoma and I’m celebrating with another tequila cocktail. I love when the days get longer and we can punctuate each day with a little time on the porch. Winters in the Pacific Northwest can be rough. Once you get past the holidays, you realize you have to settle in with overcast skies, rain, and limited daylight for nearly 3 months. Just about the time you think you might not be able to handle another day, here comes spring. The trees start to blossom. The rain lightens up. The season of outdoor living comes to lift our spirits. I’ve been busy in the garden, weeding and getting things cleaned up. While I’m working, the thought of happy hour al fresco is my motivation. This evening I’m enjoying a cocktail I found called the Organic Dove. While it’s kind of an odd name, the ingredients spoke to me. Made with Tequila Blanco, St. Germain Elderflower, grapefruit, lime, fresh basil, and a little bit of simple syrup, this cocktail created by Israel Díaz of the Alquimista Cocktail Room, is sure to please. It kind of reminds me of the Pamplemousse that I wrote about last summer. It’s light and refreshing with floral, citrusy notes that settle you right into spring. If you’re burned out on Palomas, give this one a try. Cheers!

Organic Dove, adapted slightly from Israel Díaz

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounce tequila blanco

3/4 ounce fresh grapefruit juice

1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

1/2 ounce St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

1/4 ounce simple syrup

3 basil leaves, 1 to be used as garnish

Method:

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a basil leaf.