Tarragon has a glorious lemony aroma with anise and basil tones, and its name derives from the French “estragon”, meaning “little dragon” (hence the name of this drink). Serve as it is for a light pre-dinner refresher, or in a tall glass over ice and topped with tonic for a glorious summer evening drink. Serves one.
50ml London dry gin (I’d use Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire or Tanqueray)
20ml fresh lemon juice
20ml sugar syrup (made with 50:50 water: caster sugar)
Three long tarragon leaves
Shake everything over ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Jake Coventry, Zelman Meats, London W1
