Warning: flower bomb ahead. I found myself with a wee bottle of Wild Rose Gin by new Melbourne distillery Here’s Looking at You Kid and some free time on a sun-dappled Sunday afternoon. It inspired me to create this Secret Garden Sour, itself named after Le Jardin Secret, a famous garden in Morocco; indeed “Here’s Looking At You Kid” comes from an iconic line in the movie Casablanca which is set there. The drink enhances the gin’s rosy and citrus notes and I think you’ll agree it looks worthy of any gin joint in all the world (just watch the damn movie, young whippersnappers).

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– Secret Garden Sour –

– Ingredients –
90ml gin (we used Here’s Looking at You Kid’s Wild Rose Gin)
80ml lavender & rosemary syrup
60ml fresh lemon juice
10ml parfait amour, optional (look for one with violets, like Vok or Baitz which are both local)
3-6 drops bitters (look for a floral type like lavender, rose or hibiscus bitters)
1 egg white
ice
edible flower petals, for garnish

– Method –
Shake gin, syrup, juice and parfait amour, bitters, egg white with ice until chilled. Strain into coupe glasses. Garnish with micro flower petals (make sure they edible) or a single rose petal. Makes 2

To make syrup: Place 1/2 cup cold water, 1/2 cup sugar, 3 Tablespoons of fresh or dried lavender flowers and 1 large sprig rosemary in a small saucepan over high heat. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and remove from heat. Cool completely. Strain through a fine sieve. Any leftovers can be used in milkshakes or over ice-cream (try dark chocolate!) or pancakes. You can also purchase lavender syrup.

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Find more cocktail recipes here.