Tropical Zephyr Breeze

The Tropical Zephyr Breeze is a refreshing gin-based cocktail that is perfect for warm evenings and poolside lounging. It combines the tartness of passion fruit with the botanical intricacies of gin and a hint of mint for a drink that tastes like a gentle ocean breeze. Ingredients: - 2 oz Gin (preferably a botanical-forward gin) - 1 oz Fresh passion fruit puree (strained to remove seeds) - 0.5 oz Fresh lime juice - 0.5 oz Mint-infused simple syrup* - 1 oz Soda water - Fresh mint leaves (for garnish) - Half a passion fruit (for garnish) - Ice cubes *Mint-infused simple syrup: - 1 cup water - 1 cup granulated sugar - A bunch of fresh mint leaves Instructions: 1. To make the mint-infused simple syrup, combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. After removing from the heat, add fresh mint leaves and allow them to steep as the syrup cools. After about 30 minutes, strain out the mint leaves and store the syrup in a clean bottle. 2. In a cocktail shaker, add the gin, fresh passion fruit puree, lime juice, and mint-infused simple syrup over ice. 3. Shake vigorously until well-chilled. 4. Double strain into a chilled highball glass filled with ice cubes to remove any remaining passion fruit seeds and bits of mint. 5. Top off with soda water. 6. Gently stir to combine. 7. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and half a passion fruit resting on the rim. 8. Serve immediately with a straw and enjoy the sublime combination of flavors that is the Tropical Zephyr Breeze.