Zen Press

As promised, the unveiling of the divinely delish drink sampled the other night at – shock and horror – the chain restaurant, P.F. Chang’s. The cocktail is called Zen Press on P. F. Chang’s menu, and is a gin drink made with cucumbers and lemongrass syrup. The type of gin used is key; they use Hendrick’s Gin, a Scottish gin scented with cucumbers and rose petals. The Zen Press smells intriguingly of melons and honeysuckle – the lemongrass syrup and rose scented gin registered as honeysuckle when I stuck my nose in the glass. The flavors are sophisticated, smooth, and refreshing.

I liked – loved – this drink so much I had my friend and server at P.F. Chang's, who steered us through the night with great recommendations (drink included), ask the bartender how the drink was made: two slices of cucumber muddled in a glass, a shot of lemongrass syrup, and a shot of gin topped off with Sprite and seltzer. I started off with this formula, and after three drinks had the drink down to a science of me. Of course, size of glass, your taste preferences, and how fast or slow you want to get to par-tay will influence your hand.

Zen Press
Makes 1 drink, plus lemongrass syrup to spare

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 stalk lemongrass

• Place sugar and water into a small pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar crystals have dissolved.
• Slice the pale, fleshy base of lemon grass into small rounds and add to the sugar and water mixture.
• Let the syrup cool for at least 30 minutes, or longer for stronger flavoring.
• Strain.

1 inch of cucumber, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch rounds
3/4 shot lemongrass infused simple syrup
1 shot Hendrick's Gin
ice
Sprite
Seltzer

• Muddle cucumber slices in the bottom of a glass.
• Add lemongrass syrup and gin.
• Stir, and strain into a glass.
• Add ice, and top with a splash of Sprite and Seltzer.