summertime sling

2 oz Bombay Sapphire Gin
1/2 oz St. Germain
1 1/2 oz Watermelon Juice
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
10 drop Orange Blossom Water

Shake with ice and strain into a Collins glass with 1 1/2 oz soda water. Top with ice cubes and garnish with mint.

For a second drink at the Baldwin Bar at Sichuan Garden II, Andrea asked for what turned out to be one of the most refreshing drinks of the summer, namely the Summertime Sling. Bartender Vannaluck Hongthong described how it was his creation in collaboration with fellow bartender Mick Kellogg. Watermelon juice has been quite successful in several drinks that I have had including Kolb's Gem, Corpse Reviver #33, and Sip Sip Hooray due to its interaction with herbal liqueurs.
The Summertime Sling presented a rather summery mint and watermelon aroma. Next, carbonated watermelon and lemon notes filled the sip, and the swallow was a combination of floral, watermelon, and gin flavors with an orange blossom finish. Indeed, I was rather impressed at how well the watermelon paired with the elderflower liqueur with perhaps an assist from the orange blossom aspect, and Andrea commented about how the whole drink reminded her of jasmine.