Sip This Gorgeous Vodka Cocktail at Our Best Restaurants Event

While details for our Best Restaurants event—happening March 15 and 16 at The Garage at R. House—will remain a surprise until diners show up to the venue, we’re sharing an exclusive sneak peek at one of the cocktails that attendees can look forward to sipping while enjoying 10 courses prepared by chefs featured in our annual Best Restaurants issue.

This one-of-a-kind cocktail (pictured above) was crafted by beverage director Gabe Valladares of Cookhouse in Bolton Hill—one of several representatives from our annual list who will be featured at the event. “His drinks could win a beauty contest,” deputy editor Jane Marion wrote of his cocktails in our March cover story.

This is just a taste of what’s to come. Want in on the action? There are still tickets available for Wednesday night! But hurry, there are only a few seats left.

If you can’t join us next week, Valladares was kind enough to pass along a recipe for a drink you can make with ingredients on your home bar cart. Check it out, below:

The “Love You Matcha” by Gabe Valladares: 

Ingredients:

• • 1.5 oz. vodka
  • .5 oz soju (This can be any flavor you like! For a classic taste, go for regular soju.)
  • .5 oz matcha powder
  • .5 oz lemon juice
  • 1 egg white
  • Rich at-home syrup (A 1:2 ratio of hot water and sugar)
  • Cucumber slices
  • Fresh mint

Instructions:
Add couple of slices of cucumber in a cocktail shaker with a little mint. Add vodka, soju, lemon juice, egg white, and syrup and dry shake. Then, add ice for a wet shake. Strain and enjoy.