Chicory collins

Made with Gin

main ingredients

  • Caster sugar - 200gram
  • Caraway seeds - 1/2teaspoon
  • Fennel seeds - 1/4teaspoon
  • Whole chicory head - 1
  • Gin - 200ml
  • Lemon juice - 2tablespoon
  • Chicory syrup - 100ml
  • Ice - as needed
  • Chicory leaves, to serve - as needed
  • Soda water - as needed
  • Lemon wedges - as needed
instructions
STEP 1
To make the chicory syrup, put the caster sugar and 200ml water in a saucepan and add the caraway seeds, fennel seeds and the chicory head.

STEP 2
Warm the ingredients over a medium heat until the sugar dissolves then bring to the boil. Turn off the heat and leave the syrup to cool completely before straining through a sieve lined with muslin or a coffee filter paper.

STEP 3
To make the cocktail, chill 4 tall glasses in the fridge and put the gin, lemon juice and 100ml of the chicory syrup into a large cocktail shaker along with a good handful of ice. Shake until the outside of the cocktail shaker feels icy cold then strain into your prepared glasses.

STEP 4
Add a few more ice cubes, put a chicory leaf into each glass then top up with soda water and lemon wedges. Serve immediately.