Fresh herbs, citrus notes, and caffeine boosts served with Tonic & a decent helping of Cherries. These are the Terms & Conditions of lazy, hazy, summery August days!

*Note: This recipe was created in partnership with Hedessent.ca and references a few of their products.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 drops Hedessent Sour Wizard

• 4 drops Hedessent Mandarin Orange

• 3 drops Hedessent Coffee Espresso

• 5 – 6 fresh cherries (substitute: 1 - 2 tbsp cherry juice)

• 2 – 3 mid-sized fresh basil leaves

• ½ oz fresh lemon juice

• ½ oz 1:2 simple syrup (see recipe for instructions)

• 4 oz unflavoured tonic water

• Ice

METHOD

• Make the 1:2 simple syrup – this is a milder form of a regular equal parts simple syrup. Mix 1 part sugar to 2 parts of warm water and shake vigorously till the sugar dissolves completely. Refrigerate in a glass jar for extended use.

• Pit the cherries and add them to a cocktail shaker with the basil leaves. Muddle really well to ensure that the cherries release as much juice as possible.

• Add all 3 flavour drops, simple syrup, lemon juice, and ice. Shake well for 5 – 6 seconds, till the ice melts from the motion. This will help dilute the cherry juice a bit.

• Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a previously chilled glass of choice. Top off with tonic water. Garnish with some wild flowers and add more ice if you’d like.