I love everything about this small batch, handcrafted gin. The notable botanicals of juniper, cucumber, coriander and rose provide a distinctive yet ultra smooth base for a wide array of cocktails.

The retro apothecary bottle effortlessly kicks up the style factor of any bar and it's available at one of my favorite stores - Trader Joe's.

Now I have something else to love about it - the La Luna.

Not just tasty, this recipe also highlights another appealing aspect of the artisanal cocktail - experimenting with and mastering techniques. In this case, it's muddling ingredients BEFORE adding them to simple syrups.

La Luna

2 parts Hendrick's Gin

1 part fresh lime juice

1 part cucumber juice (juice extracted just like citrus)

1 part jalepeno syrup

1 part soda water

Build in order in a long glass with ice, garnish (baby cucumber spears would be nice) and serve.

Jalapeno Syrup

Chop & muddle 6-8 jalepenos with 2c raw sugar until a thick paste is formed. Combine with 2c water, bring to a boil and reduce until yield is 3c. Strain.

I would serve this with a salmon appetizer - here's a great one. And speaking of apothecary, I would say this is just what the doctor ordered.

Cheers!