The Summer Edit: Fresh Summer Cocktails Inspired by La Dolce Vita
Maple Basil Gimlet
If we were all asked to describe summer as a flavor, we have a sneaking suspicion that our collective answers would read something like this, "fresh, citrusy, bright, juicy, green, vibrant, hot, sweet..."
So it would make sense that our line-up of summer cocktails and recipes reflects those feelings and flavors, and represents them both in taste and vision. Summer conjures up memories of lemonade stands and days in the garden, it promises lingering nights on a porch as fireflies and children chase each other into the sunset, and slow, lazy days on the lake. So our favorite summer recipes invite these same feelings, with bright citrus, vibrant greens, and fresh from the garden flavors.

A summer lived in the Italian spirit of La Dolce Vita embraces the idea of living slowly, with intention, and with a focus on enjoyment, togetherness and recognizing the little details, the ones that make life sweet. The Pappy & Company Summer Edit is all about celebrating those moments, and encouraging you to join us as we relax into sweet summertime.
Starting with a fresh line-up of easy summer cocktails, meant to inspire, meant to be shared, and crafted for leisurely porch time Pappy Hours. Like our Maple Basil Gimlet, a summer twist on a classic Gimlet cocktail, that is summer served in a glass.

A Maple Basil Gimlet. Refreshing, crisp, and clean, and perfect for a slow summer sip. While a classic gimlet is traditionally made with gin, lime and simple syrup, similar to a martini in taste and presentation but with a more balanced flavor that isn't quite as overwhelming, a gimlet gives us palette to work with. One that calls for a fresh herbal infusion of summer flavor, and naturally, an infusion of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged sweetness that offers a layer of depth with its rich and signature flavors.

Pulling fresh herbs and vegetables straight from our summer garden is a favored summer activity. You simply can’t beat the fresh summer flavor and there is an extra layer of satisfaction in enjoying recipes with ingredients you planted and tended to you with your own hands. We love easy recipes that call for anything freshly plucked from our garden, so our Maple Basil Gimlet really delivers sweet summertime sipping!

First up, muddled basil. We were pretty much sold at that step. While it sounds complicated, it really is quite easy, especially with the right tools. Gently bruised basil leaves produce a sweet, earthy, fresh, almost spicy flavor and aroma, that is deeply unique and delicious. The muddled basil provides the base layer for the Gimlet, using our Bourbon Barrel Cocktail Muddler, gently press the leaves, releasing the notes of fresh, Herby flavor that will provide the base layer for this refreshing summer cocktail.

Our Bourbon Barrel Cocktail Muddler is hand-crafted from retired Pappy Van Winkle Barrel-Staves, each as unique as the barrel stave it originated from, featuring a signature char spot and crafted to lay flat on your bar. Elegant and rustic, our Bourbon Barrel Cocktail Muddleris hand-crafted in our in-house Woodshop, where Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels are reimagined by artisan Jason Cohen. A must-have bar accessory, this muddler was designed to craft our favorite line-up of delicious summer cocktails.

Add gin, lime juice and Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pure Maple Syrup to our Big Van Shakerwith ice, shake it up until cold and pour it into our Signature Keys Nick & Nora Cocktail Glasses for a sophisticated, smooth, and subtly sweet summer cocktail.