Lillet + basil cocktail

Here is another in a series 

of our weekly Saturday Sippers! posts.

In honor of Bastille Day tomorrow, our Saturday Sipper today is a lovely French Lillet aperitif cocktail. This one is straight from a Martha Stewart recipe. It's light and citrusy with just a hint of basil and cinnamon. Use Hendricks gin, it works well with these flavors. Viva la France!

LILLET WITH BASIL AND CINNAMON

1 cup ice, plus more for serving

1/2 cup Lillet Blanc

2 ounces Hendrick's gin

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, plus sprigs for garnish

good splash of tonic water

cucumber spears and cinnamon sticks, for garnish

Makes 2 trés refreshing drinks.

Put ice, Lillet, gin, orange juice, and basil in a cocktail shaker; shake well. Fill a glass with ice; strain mixture into glass. Add tonic water. Garnish with cucumber spear, cinnamon stick, and basil sprigs.