Grilled Gin and Tonic

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 sprigs mint
• 2 thick slices lime
• One 2-inch piece cucumber, chopped
• 4 dashes bitters
• Ice
• 4 ounces gin, such as Tanqueray
• Tonic water
• Cucumber spear, for garnish

1. For the mint simple syrup: Combine the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. When the sugar dissolves, turn off the heat, add the mint sprigs and let cool.
3. Strain into a clean jar.
4. Can be stored in the refrigerator for a week.
5. For the gin and tonic: Heat a grill pan and grill the lime slices on both sides, just until it gets nice grill marks but is still firm.
6. Cut 1 lime slice into pieces and put it into the bottom of a cocktail shaker or mixing glass along with the chopped cucumber, bitters and 1 tablespoon mint simple syrup.
7. Muddle to mash all the solids.
8. Add ice to the glass and pour over the gin.
9. Shake or stir to get the gin cold.
10. Strain into a martini glass (or over ice in a tall glass) and top with a splash of tonic water.
11. Garnish with the grilled lime slice and cucumber spear.

sugar, mint, lime, cucumber, bitters, water, cucumber spear

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/grilled-gin-and-tonic-recipe.html (may not work)