Cocktail of the week: Down Hall’s green tea martini – recipe

A refreshing alcoholic twist on iced tea, and ideal alfresco summer drinking.

Green tea martini

Serves 1

5cm piece cucumber, plus 1 slice to garnish
1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger, peeled
1 tsp simple sugar syrup
A pinch of salt
50ml vodka – use a citrus-flavoured one, if you have some
30ml brewed green tea, chilled
2 basil leaves

Put the piece of cucumber and the ginger in a shaker, add the syrup and salt, and muddle (ie bash) to break down the solids. Add six ice cubes, pour in the vodka and chilled green tea, and stir in the basil. Put the lid on the shaker and shake hard for 12-15 seconds, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a slice of cucumber and enjoy.

• Erhan Karadag, deputy general manager, Down Hall, Hatfield Heath, Essex