Herbaltini

Carry Porter of Kirkland, WA wasn't willing to miss out on a moment of the party by making cocktails one by one, so she created her "herbaltini" in a pitcher. This refreshing drink "combines the fresh herbs that many people have left over after cooking holiday dishes," she explains. Notes: Crushed mint turns dark after about 20 minutes. If you'd like to make this drink up to 4 hours ahead, strain the mixture just before your guests arrive, return it to the pitcher, then add a handful of fresh mint leaves. Prep Time: about 20 minutes.

Yield: Makes: 1 1/2 quarts; 8 to 12 servings

Ingredients

• 24  fresh mint sprigs (4 in. each), rinsed
• 12  fresh rosemary sprigs (3 in. each), rinsed
• 3/4  cup  superfine sugar
• 2  oranges (6 oz. each), chilled, rinsed, and quartered
• 2 1/4  cups  gin, chilled in the freezer
• 1  cup  plus 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 7 limes), chilled
• 1 1/2  cups  soda water, chilled
• Fresh mint leaves, rinsed

Preparation

1. In a 2 1/2- to 3-quart pitcher, combine mint sprigs, rosemary sprigs, and sugar. With a long-handled wooden spoon, muddle (or crush) the herbs and sugar together. Squeeze juice from oranges into pitcher, then drop quarters in. Press a few times with spoon to release oil from orange peels. Stir in gin, lime juice, and 1/2 cup ice water. Mix until sugar is dissolved. Serve (see step 2), or cover and chill up to 4 hours (see notes). If using martini glasses, chill in freezer.

2. To serve, slowly pour chilled soda water into the pitcher, down the side. Stir gently to blend. Pour through a strainer into chilled martini glasses or ice-filled glasses. Float a mint leaf on top of each. Serve at once.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

159 (1% from fat)

Protein:

0.2g

Fat:

0.1g (sat 0.0)

Carbohydrate:

16g

Fiber:

0.1g

Sodium:

11mg

Cholesterol:

0.0mg