Basil Fawlty – Sunday’s Bootstrap

Being in the midst of a cocktail revival, no doubt you, like I have given up the dated Cosmo, Martini and boring Vodka Tonic. They will suffice in a pinch but no longer the go to’s cuz now you don’t have to order ordinary when you can order extraordinary. This may not fit the extraordinary but there is a memorable bar called Highlands in the West Village on New York, a great Scottish gastro pub with noteworthy and most importantly fantastical cocktails. On Sunday’s of note is the Basil Fawlty that I could swim in and be happy as a pig in sh*t – no pun intended!

When I can’t pull myself up by my bootstraps, I get all industrious and make one at home. What are the ingredients you ask, well I just so happen to have them emblazed in my mind:

• 1 shot great vodka (I use my favorite Crystal Head which comes in an amazing glass skull – you’ll realize quickly I have a fascination with skull accessories so why not Vodka!)
• 1 cap full of peach liquor (what’s a cap full? You decide!)
• 1 cap full of St. Germaine (the trendy liquor said with an accent in my circles)
• Juice of half a Meyer Lemon (or any ole lemon)
• Two basil leaves chopped finely (save another whole leaf for garnish)
• Ice

Mix this in a shaker and pour (sans ice) into a fabulous, glamorous glass of your choice (Highlands uses a champagne glass) but only fill ¾ of the way.

Then the Pièce de résistance……fill the remainder of the glass with dry Champagne (I use Freixenet $9.99 a bottle – why get all preachy about good champagne when this one serves up very dry and crisp – and did I mention it’s $9.99)
Voila……..a great refreshing cocktail for a Sunday recovery session with the hubs, or your favorite crew.