"The classic Champagne Cocktail (bitters, sugar, sparkling wine) is one of my favorite drinks. It's delicious, celebratory, and so easy. Often it's finished with an expression of lemon over the top, and I like mine with just a drop of absinthe on top as well. This highball uses the tonic water to achieve the sparkle and the light bitter-sweet flavor of a Champagne Cocktail, along with tonic's best friend gin, a lemon cordial to amplify the lemon accent, and a touch of absinthe (optional), my preferred finish to the drink." - Rachel Miller
Rachel Miller's Gin & Tonic Recipe:
1 oz gin
.5 oz lemon cordial*
4 oz Top Note Classic Tonic Water
2-3 drops absinthe
Garnish: expressed lemon peel
Stir gin, cordial and tonic together in an ice-filled highball glass, finish with absinthe, and garnish.
*Lemon Cordial: Zest two lemons and set the zest aside. Juice the lemons and heat the juice in a pan with an equal amount, by volume, of white sugar. Bring the lemon juice and sugar to a boil, then immediately remove from heat and pour over the zest. Allow to cool and steep at least ten minutes, then strain well. Yields ~4oz cordial (multiply the recipe as needed for more cordial). Stored in the fridge, it will last for weeks.