Honey Sage Gin Fizz

To ring in the New Year and celebrate the coming of 2014 we, and 3 other couples decided to go the "classy" route and book swanky hotel rooms at The Phoenician in Scottsdale and throw 4 soirees; one in each of our rooms. Each "party" was accompanied by handcrafted cocktails made with the liquor that we pulled out of a hat at happy hour a few weeks ago. Andrew and I pulled out gin, which we were very happy with and got to searching for the perfect coktail to celebrate with! This smoky yet refreshing drink was an absolute hit. What better way than to spend a night of laughs, liquor, snacks, and dancing on the beds like we were kids?!

Honey Sage Gin Fizz

Ingredients:
Makes 2 drinks

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup good quality honey
• large bunch of fresh sage leaves
• 1 slice bacon 
• flaky sea salt
• 3 oz. good quality gin
• juice squeezed from 1 lime
• club soda 
• ice

To make the honey sage syrup bring the water, honey, and 5-6 sage leaves to a boil. Lower the heat and continue to stir until the honey is completely dissolved into the water. Let cool to room temperature before storing in the fridge. Remove the sage leaves before using.

To make the bacon salt fry up the bacon slice and let cool before chopping into the smallest pieces that you possibly can. Mix the chopped bacon with an equal amount of sea salt. This will be used to rim the glasses. If you only rim 1 quarter section of each glass, this will be enough to rim 4-6 glasses.

In a cocktail shaker add 3 oz. gin, 1 oz. honey sage syrup, the lime juice, and ice. Shake until well combined and cold.

Rub quarter of the rim of each glass with a little but of honey and roll in the bacon salt. Fill the glass with ice and pour gin mixture over ice. Top with a splash of club soda and sage leaves for garnish. Serve immediately.