Citrus-Blossom Gin Fizz

Name: Citrus-Blossom Gin Fizz
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 2 cups water; 1 2 cups sugar; 1 1 tablespoon loosely packed fresh lemon verbena leaves (optional); 1 1 orange; 1 1 lemon; 1 2 teaspoons orange-flower water*; 1 6 cups ice cubes, divided; 1 1/2 cup gin, divided; 1 1/2 cup whipping cream, divided; 1 4 large egg whites, divided; 1 4 tablespoons lemon juice, divided; 1 Freshly ground nutmeg; 1 Fresh lemon verbena sprigs (optional)

From the kitchen of Carly

A silky, boozy float that tastes like spring in a glass. Orange-flower water perfumes a creamy gin base, while citrus syrup and whipped egg whites create that cloud-like foam. Chill it down and sip something genuinely elegant.

Prep: n/a
Cook: n/a
Total: n/a
Servings: 4
Difficulty: medium

Ingredients

4 servings

12 cups water
12 cups sugar
11 tablespoon loosely packed fresh lemon verbena leaves (optional)
11 orange
11 lemon
12 teaspoons orange-flower water*
16 cups ice cubes, divided
11/2 cup gin, divided
11/2 cup whipping cream, divided
14 large egg whites, divided
14 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
1Freshly ground nutmeg
1Fresh lemon verbena sprigs (optional)

Instructions

Mix 2 cups water, sugar, and lemon verbena, if desired, in medium saucepan. Using vegetable peeler, remove peel (colored part) from orange and lemon; add peel to saucepan. Bring sugar mixture to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 5 minutes. Cool completely. Stir in orange-flower water. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Combine 6 tablespoons syrup, 3 cups ice, 1/4 cup gin, 1/4 cup cream, 2 egg whites, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in blender. Blend until smooth and foamy. Divide among 4 glasses. Repeat with 6 tablespoons syrup and remaining ice, gin, cream, egg whites, and juice. Sprinkle drinks with nutmeg; garnish with lemon verbena sprigs, if desired.
**Market tip:**Lemon verbena is sold at nurseries and some farmers' markets. *A flavoring extract; available in the liquor aisle or baking section of some supermarkets and at liquor stores.