The Skinny Cocktail Column: September

SW4some

Bon Vivant’s Stuart McCluskey took the time to invent this complex yet delicious twist on a julep. Inspired by SW4’s location in Clapham, London, Stuart used the idea of multiculturalism as the starting point to create a drink that melds British influences with flavours from the Middle East and beyond. Brilliantly, you can make this at home with ingredients that you probably already have.

You need:

25ml apple juice (preferably of the pressed, organic variety, rather than from concentrate)
50ml SW4 Gin
5ml / 1 tsp honey
A handful of fresh mint
1 teabag

Prepare at room temperature, so the honey will mix in.
Add the honey, gin and teabag to a mixing glass. Clap the mint between your hands (to open up its cells and release the flavour) and add to the glass. Stir it all together gently, adding the apple juice.
Leave for the flavours to infuse for a minute or so. Careful not to leave the teabag in too long.

To serve, strain into a teacup and add crushed ice.
Twist some lemon zest over the top, and garnish with some fresh mint leaves.
Position the straw next to the mint for added flavour.