The Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday this year.  I’m throwing an 800-person fundraiser on Saturday, so there will be no extra long weekend for me.  Come to think of it, there will be no weekend at all.  And it’s hot.  Really hot.  This calls for a cocktail.

I’m not a big fan of sweet drinks.  Now bitter, that I like.  A few weeks ago, I attended a bitters making class at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which is just a few blocks from my house.  We toured the Edible Gardens, got some tips on how to infuse our simple syrup, and shared a lovely ginger, lime, cilantro and gin concoction.  We each went home with a bitters base of our own making.  I opted for grapefruit peel, dried lemon peel, lovage, cardamom and violets.  Last night I completed the last of the surprising number of steps necessary to finish my bitters.

Independence Eve Cocktail

Fill a highball glass with ice and add a shot or so of gin.  Add half a shot of Campari and a couple of shots of grapefruit juice.  Pour seltzer to the top and add a few drops of grapefruit or other citrus bitters.  If you’re lazy like me, just poke the top ice cube to mix things up a bit. 

This cocktail is best enjoyed in your underwear sitting near an open window.