Marukan Shiso Cucumber Mint Mocktail

INSTRUCTIONS

Cucumber Vinegar

Combine vinegar and cucumber in a small bowl and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Strain, pour vinegar into a bottle and serve the cucumber slices as a snack if desired. Cucumber vinegar can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Shiso Simple Syrup

Wash and dry the shiso leaves. Stack on top of each other, roll up like a cigar, and slice thinly.

Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat. Add the shiso leaves and let infuse for 4 hours. Strain the syrup into a glass bottle and store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

For Each Drink

Put shiso and mint leaves in a cocktail strainer and muddle with the simple syrup. Add ice, cucumber vinegar, and lime juice and shake gently. Place a shiso leaf in a cocktail glass, fill with ice, pour in the mixture, and top with sparkling water. Garnish mint leaves.