This refreshing long drink uses a soda made with fragrant white tea. White teas are harvested from the youngest, most tender buds and leaves of the tea plant, and very lightly processed, resulting in a delicate, often floral flavour.

INGREDIENTS: 

1.5 oz dry gin (such as Suntory Roku)

0.5 oz fresh lemon juice

0.5 oz organic cane sugar syrup (see note)

4.5 oz Japanese Cherry Blossom White Tea Soda (see note)

Garnish: edible flowers or lemon zest

METHOD: 

Stir gin, lemon juice and syrup together in a tall glass, fill with ice and top with soda. Garnish with edible flower or lemon zest. Serves 1.

Note: To make syrup, weigh equal parts water and organic cane sugar and stir until sugar has fully dissolved. Store in refrigerator up to one month.

Note: To make the cold-brewed Cherry Blossom White Tea soda, place 2 Tbsp (heaping) of tea leaves in a glass pitcher then add 4 cups of cold water. Place in the refrigerator and steep for 4 to 12 hours, until it reaches your desired strength. Stir in a pinch of fine sea salt, then transfer to a SodaStream or similar device and carbonate. Transfer into a sealable bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to
2 weeks. Makes about 4 cups.

—by Matthew Benevoli