Theo's Satsuma Sage Gin Rickey with Pink Peppercorn
Fresh satsuma, lime, sage, and gin make a citrusy highball with a lively peppercorn finish.
Prep: 10 · Cook: · Total: 10 · Serves: 2 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (186 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
An original citrus rickey inspired by the bright, herb-scented gin drinks Theo looks for at a corner bar.
Story
This is the kind of bar drink that wakes up the table before the food lands. Satsuma brings sunshine, lime keeps the whole thing honest, and sage gives it a little old-school polish. The pink peppercorn is there for perfume, not a dare. Pour it tall, keep it cold, and let the bubbles handle the bragging.
By Theo
Ingredients
- 4 ounces gin
- 3 ounces fresh satsuma or mandarin juice
- 1 1/2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce sage syrup
- 4 ounces chilled club soda
- 4 fresh sage leaves, plus 2 small leaves for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon pink peppercorns, lightly crushed
- 1 cup ice
- 2 thin satsuma wheels
- 2 lime wedges
Instructions
- Lightly bruise the four sage leaves between your fingers and add them to a cocktail shaker with the gin, satsuma juice, lime juice, sage syrup, and ice.
- Shake firmly for 10 to 12 seconds, until the shaker feels very cold.
- Fill two highball glasses with fresh ice and strain the shaken mixture evenly between them.
- Top each glass with chilled club soda and stir once gently to combine.
- Sprinkle the crushed pink peppercorns over the drinks, using a light hand so their aroma stays delicate.
- Garnish each glass with a satsuma wheel, lime wedge, and a small sage leaf, then serve right away.
Chef Tips
- If satsumas are not in season, use fresh mandarin or clementine juice.
- Taste the juice before adding the sage syrup, then reduce the syrup slightly if the fruit is especially sweet.
- Crush the pink peppercorns just before serving for the freshest aroma.
- Add the club soda last to keep the drink lively and fizzy.
Cook's Notes
- **Juice:** Fresh satsuma or mandarin juice gives the cleanest flavor.
- **Sage:** Bruise the leaves lightly, then strain them out after shaking.
- **Fizz:** Add club soda only after the drink is poured into glasses.