Capetown Collins

DH and I made this interesting drink tonight. From May 2008 Bon Appetit. We found the Rooibos herbal tea from the "Home Goods" store by our home (also linked to Marshalls Dept store where I am from). I don't usually care for tea, but I liked this drink. Go easy on the rosemary sprigs (maybe use small ones), otherwise they can taste kind of strong in the drink.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  cup water
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 5  large rosemary sprigs, divided
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  rooibos  tea leaves
• 1  cup  gin, divided
• 4  tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
•  ice cube

Directions

1. Bring 1 cup water, sugar, and 1 rosemary sprig to boil in medium saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer until syrup measures generous 1 cup, about 5 minutes. Add rooibos; let steep one hour. Strain through fine mesh strainer into 1-cup glass measuring cup.
2. Mix half of rooibus syrup, 1/2 cup gin, and 2 Tb lemon juice into cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake well, then strain into 2 ice-filled collins glasses. Repeat with remaining syrup, gin, and lemon juice. Garnish drinks with rosemary sprigs and serve.