In November, we give thanks.  This month, it’s only appropriate to thank Bev & Erwin. These two are lifetime residents of Floral Park who met at a German dance club and have been love birds ever since.  They have a stately home on Victoria Drive which was built in 1929 and retains much of its original charm.   They have been integral members of our community ever since, holding various positions on the board, and Bev continues to support the annual home tour.

It was at that stately home where we hosted our November garden swap.  We entered the backyard through the side gate, almost like entering a secret garden. The swap was small, but mighty, filled with the freshest salad greens, plump purple eggplant, giant pomegranates, cute little mandarin oranges, tons of avocados, and a bouquet of fresh basil.  I was lucky enough to get the basil.

To Bev & Erwin I say “Danke” for allowing us to share your beautiful backyard and sustaining our sense of community.  To my readers, I say “Prost!”  I hope you try this refreshing garden in a glass I created to honor that beautiful basil!

 

Lemon & Basil Martini

(Makes 2 Martini’s)

• 1 lemon
• 5-10 Basil leaves, plus more for garnish
• 3 oz vodka
• 1 Tbsp sugar, plus more for the rim
• 6 oz (1/2 can) LaCroix cucumber soda water (*)

Cut the lemon in half, and run it around the edge of the martini glasses.  Dip the glass in sugar until the rim is coated.  In a shaker, combine ice, the juice from the lemon, basil, vodka and sugar.  Muddle until the basil is smashed.  Next, add the cucumber soda and stir.  Strain with a mesh strainer into two martini glasses.  Garnish with the remaining basil leaves.

(*) If you don’t have this, you can use club soda and muddle a cucumber with the basil.