Minty Orange Gimlet

Ingredients

Cocktail

• 1/2 ounce orange simple syrup (see recipe below)
  
• 1 1/2 ounces shots vodka or gin, more to taste
  
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
  
• 1/4 orange, sliced
  
• 1 sprig mint leaves, to garnish
  
• 2 cubes of ice
  
• 1 splash seltzer or club soda
  

Orange Simple Syrup

• 1/2 cup cane sugar
  
• 1 orange
  

Directions

1. To make the simple syrup: Using a vegetable peeler to remove large strips, zest the orange. Add zest, sugar, and 1/2 cup water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool, then cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Strain the syrup into a small jar or bowl. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge, tightly covered, for several weeks.
2. For the cocktail: Make the orange simple syrup and let it cool completely. In the bottom of a glass, muddle sliced orange and mint. In a cocktail shaker, combine the syrup, lime juice, vodka, and ice. Shake well and pour into the glass with muddled orange and mint and fresh ice. Top with a splash of seltzer.