A little about this dish
This unexpected Thai-inspired cocktail turns tender broccoli into an elegant emerald cordial. Brief blanching softens its vegetal edge, while coconut water, Thai basil, lemongrass, makrut lime, ginger, and green chile create a bright, aromatic balance with botanical gin. A blistered broccoli floret makes the garnish playful and striking.
Ingredients (for 2)
- Broccoli florets and tender stems — 1 1/2 cups, plus 2 florets for garnish — peel tender stems, cut into small pieces, and reserve 2 florets for garnish
- Unsweetened coconut water — 3/4 cup
- Lemongrass — 1 stalk — trim to the pale inner portion, bruise, and cut in half
- Makrut lime leaves — 3 leaves — tear
- Fresh ginger — 1/2 inch piece — thinly slice
- Thai basil — 8 leaves, plus extra for garnish
- Thai green chile — 1 chile — split and remove seeds for milder heat
- Fresh lime — 1 ounce juice, plus 2 wheels for garnish — juice and cut 2 lime wheels for garnish
- London dry gin — 3 ounces
- Sparkling water — 2 ounces — chill
- Palm sugar — 1 tablespoon — finely grate
- Ice — as needed — use for blanching, shaking, and serving
- Fine sea salt — a tiny pinch
Preparation
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Step 1 — 🥦🧊💧Bring lightly salted water to a boil. Blanch the broccoli for 45 seconds, reserving 2 florets for garnish, then transfer the rest to an ice bath and drain well.
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Step 2 — 🥥🌿🔥Warm the coconut water, lemongrass, makrut lime leaves, ginger, seeded or unseeded green chile, and palm sugar for 3 minutes without boiling. Remove from the heat, steep for 5 minutes, strain, and cool completely.
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Step 3 — 🌀🍋🧂Blend the blanched broccoli, cooled infusion, Thai basil, lime juice, and a tiny pinch of salt until smooth. Fine-strain into a chilled container; you should have about 4 ounces of cordial.
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Step 4 — 🍳🥦🔥Pat the reserved broccoli florets dry and cook them in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes, turning once, until lightly browned. Cool briefly.
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Step 5 — 🍸🧊💪Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin and 4 ounces of broccoli cordial, then shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
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Step 6 — 🥃✨💦Strain the drink evenly into two ice-filled rocks or small highball glasses. Add 1 ounce of chilled sparkling water to each glass and stir gently once.
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Step 7 — 🌿🍋🌶️Garnish each drink with a blistered broccoli floret, a Thai basil leaf, and a lime wheel. Add a thin slice of green chile for extra color and heat.
A final fox tip
For a zero-proof version, replace the gin with a botanical nonalcoholic spirit. The broccoli cordial can be made up to one day ahead and kept refrigerated; shake it briefly before using. For a gentler drink, omit the chile and add a few extra Thai basil leaves.