11 August 2017 By Mark Diacono

I like Jane Fonda. I like Jane Fonda for a lot of reasons, but chief among them this week, is that she has reminded me of the pleasures of ginger ale. Men (mostly in beards that they will one day see as the facial equivalent of leg warmers) have made ginger beer very cool, but let's not overlook the ale. If you haven't seen Klute, you must. I was watching it on one of these November evenings that has infiltrated early August this year, wondering what might work for a variation of a Dark and Stormy cocktail, when she asked for ginger ale. Bingo.
Each of these cocktails takes something that's thriving in the garden right now to add flourish and flavour to a classic cocktail recipe. Of course, you can use supermarket herbs, but Moroccan mint adds that special vim to the mojito, just-cut lemon thyme that little extra freshness to the nectarines, and so on.
Don't be put off if you are new to making syrups: the technique is simplest, the results fabulous. All you do is dissolve sugar in equal weight of water, allowing it to just-reach a simmer before turning off the heat and adding the herb. Keep tasting as it cools and remove the herb when the strength is as you'd like it. Store in the fridge.
Happy August.
Matt's Gimlet

Using the handle of a wooden spoon, muddle the quartered lime skin and mint in the base of the glass to release the flavours of both. Add the gin, syrup, lime juice and ice, stir and top with as much (or as little) soda water as you fancy.
- 60ml gin
- 30ml lemon verbena syrup
- Juice of 1 lime
- Soda water to taste
- A sprig of lemon verbena and mint
- Ice
Light and Stormy

Add the rum, syrup and lime juice to a glass, add a handful of ice, then top with ginger ale.
- 90ml white rum
- 120ml ginger ale
- 40ml ginger rosemary syrup
- Juice of 1 lime
- Sprig of rosemary
- Ice
Nectarine, lavender and lemon thyme Bellini

Peel and chop the nectarines, and simmer gently in a pan with just a little water and the herbs. When the fruit has collapsed nicely, puree and cool.
I don't think you can go far wrong with 1-part nectarine puree to 3 parts fizz, but use whichever proportions you favour.
- 2 nectarines
- 2 sprigs of lemon thyme
- A sprig of lavender
- Prosecco
Blackberry mojito

Using the handle of a wooden spoon, muddle the berries, sugar, lime skins and mint to release the flavours. Add plenty of crushed ice, followed by the rum, lime juice and finally top with soda water.
- 60ml white rum
- 14 ripe blackberries
- 12 leaves of Moroccan mint
- The juice and skin of 2 limes
- 4 tsp sugar
- Soda water to taste
- Crushed ice