Into a shaker filled with ice, pour the vodka, sake, and Lemon Basil Ginger Syrup (see below). Shake well, and let sit for 1 minute to chill well. Shake again and strain into a martini glass, or champagne glass or coupe. Add a couple of basil leaves and 1 or 2 lemon zest strips to garnish and serve chilled.
To Make the Lemon Basil Ginger Simple Syrup: A super simple pan seared broccoli or broccolini dish with garlicky deep flavor and great texture.Combine the water with the sugar in a small saucepot over medium high heat. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the basil, ginger and lemon zest and remove from the heat. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer to a clean glass container and refrigerate for 24 hours. Strain out the solids and place the Basil Ginger Syrup in a clean container.
Notes
Make sure to buy a good sake, one meant to be served chilled. Ask your sake/wine person for advice, or check out the refrigerated section of the wine store. Sometimes sake is sold in big inexpensive bottles, but that sake is usually not very delicately flavored and meant to be served hot. Believe you me, I am not snob about that – I love a carafe of cheap hot sake with my sushi. And I also love great sake, served crispy cold. But for this cocktail, you want to go for the better stuff.