Cucumber Basil Martini

Our friend Steve from the States sent me this and he said he got it from Food & Wine Magazine. I thought it looked interesting and am posting it here for safe keeping.

• Ready In: 10 mins
• Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1  tablespoon hot water
• 1  teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated
• 1  piece cucumber, 3 inch piece, peeled, seeded and diced
• 3  basil leaves (tear up 2 of them)
• 2  ounces  gin
• 1  tablespoon fresh lime juice
•  ice

Directions

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in the hot water.
2. Press the grated ginger through a fine strainer set over the bowl, releasing the juice.
3. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the diced cucumber with the 2 torn basil leaves.
4. Add the ginger syrup, gin, lime juice and a handful of ice.
5. Shake well, then strain into a martini glass.
6. Garnish the martini with a cucumber slice and the remaining whole basil leaf and serve.