Gin is a divisive liquor. Plenty of people turn up their nose at a freshly opened bottle, recoiling from that forest in winter aroma. (We've never been that way; toss some gin in a Styrofoam cup and pour juice till you hit the rim and we're good to go.) In the right cocktail, though, gin can really shine, even for the non-believer. The Water Lily is one such drink.
Combine violet syrup, gin, lemon juice, and Cointreau and you've got a Water Lily. The gin takes on a gentle tone when combined with the sweet, floral violet syrup, making for a fresh, light cocktail.
The Water Lily
Dutch Kills
27-24 Jackson Avenue
Long Island City, N.Y.