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At the Starting Line – This Herbaceous Gin Cocktail Is Summer’s Front Runner

A creamy, herbaceous gin cocktail garnished with mint sits on a dark wood bar. Soft, sunlit background.

At the Starting Line is Speed Shift Distillery’s featured drink of the month—a smooth, herbaceous gin cocktail that’s as vibrant as a summer day. This summery gin cocktail layers the crisp, botanical notes of our house EnGIN with bright lemongrass simple syrup, a splash of elderflower liqueur, and a whisper of lavender bitters for a garden-fresh flavor that’s both refreshing and unexpected. Silky egg whites add a creamy texture and soft froth, giving each sip a luxurious mouthfeel without overshadowing the delicate aromatics. It’s the kind of drink that feels like a breeze through an open window on a warm afternoon—elegant and light. Ideal for sunny sips and slow evenings, this cocktail sets the pace for the season.

Ready in

1 hour

ingredients

7

Serves

2

Ingredients for At the Starting Line

  • 3 oz EnGIN
  • 1 oz St. Germain liqueur
  • 1.5 oz lemongrass simple syrup (pre-make and chill, see recipe below)
  • 1.5 oz oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 5 dash lavender bitters
  • 2 egg whites
  • Garnish: mint leaf

Steps for At the Starting Line

1

Add EnGIN, St-Germain, lemongrass simple syrup, lemon juice, lavender bitters and egg white into a LARGE shaker without ice. Dry shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds.

2

Add ice and shake again until well-chilled.

3

Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into two chilled cocktail glasses and garnish with mint leaves.

4

For lemongrass simple syrup: Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water and stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove the outer layer from 3 lemongrass stalks, and slice off and discard the dry ends. Cut the stalks into small pieces and combine with the sugar mixture in a blender, pulsing until the lemongrass is finely chopped. Let stand for at least one hour, (or up to 5) then strain and discard solids. The simple syrup will keep for up to 1 week if refrigerated and sealed.

NOTES

Consuming raw eggs poses a risk of foodborne illness.

What is a dry shake? Dry shaking means shaking the ingredients—like egg whites or aquafaba—without ice first. This step helps fully emulsify the mix, creating that smooth, frothy texture. Then, a second shake with ice chills the drink and brings it to the perfect balance of flavor and dilution.

My favorite large shaker is by Elevated Craft. I’m not an affiliate, nor do I make any commission – I’m just sharing my love of a fine product!