By Ray Rogers
Emerald green with hints of spice and sweetness and delightfully herbaceous notes, The Gardener cocktail has long been a fan favorite at Matsuhisa. Now, it can be enjoyed at home, thanks to the ready-to-serve Gardenista. Todd Clark, who manages the three locations of Matsuhisa in Colorado, and spirits expert Kevin Berg and his team, spent the better part of a year taste-testing until they landed on just the right formula. “It took us 49 recipes before we said, ‘That’s perfect—let’s bottle it,” says Clark. Just 98 calories per serving, the beverage is gluten-free and the liquor content is 15 percent—“not too high and not too low,” he adds.
Gardenista comes in three varieties, made with high-quality tequila, vodka and bourbon, each of which has its own distinct flavor profile. For instance, the wood barrels of the bourbon add notes like vanilla, and for the vodka, which is a neutral spirit, they added a little rosewater. “That one is really fresh and clean, with almost a melon profile,” notes Clark. “The flavors for the original Gardener are cilantro, ginger, fresh lime, serrano pepper and a little bit of organic simple syrup, and then the spirit. We took all those ingredients and we added a little bit of thyme as well.”
The best way to drink this cocktail? “Just pour it over ice or put it in a shaker and shake it until chilled, and then pour it straight up. Some people just keep it in the refrigerator and they’re drinking it neat out of the refrigerator. Or try it on ice with a splash of seltzer or club soda to add a little spritz profile.”
So dynamic and flavorful, this beverage calls you back for more. “It’s not heavy, it’s a drink you can enjoy from brunch to midnight, at a late-night party watching the DJ set,” says Clark. “It’s also a great beverage with food. It would be perfect at a summer barbecue—it’s definitely refreshing.” drinkgardenista.com