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ROOT Recipe of the Week: The Govenor’s Garden
Colonial New England was known for its love of gardens. The first governor of Massachusettes Bay Colony planted a garden on Conant’s Island in Boston and it was coined “The Govenor’s Garden.” In 1630, a descriptions of this garden was published in a book the New-England’s Plantation:
“The countrie aboundeth naturally with store of roots of great varietie and good to eat. Our turnips, parsnips, and carrots are here both bigger and sweeter than is ordinary to be found in England. Here are store of pompions, cowcumbers, and other things of that nature which I knw not…”
The name of this refreshing libation, created by ALFA’s Erik Boardman, takes its name from one of the first gardens in Colonial America. The cowcumbers or what we know them as, cucumbers, grew quite well here. Cucumbers, one of the ingredients in this drink, was previously described as “only fit to be eaten by cows” because it was thought to carry summer diseases. Thankfully the cucumber has been stripped of its prejudices and we can enjoy it with all of its other garden friends.
How to make The Governor’s Garden:
2 cucumber slices
2 lemon slices
4 sprigs of fresh basil
Muddle
3/4 oz. english cucumber/meyer lemon/
tarragon infused vodka
3/4 oz. Pimm’s Cup No. 1
1/4 oz. ROOT
1 1/2 oz. ginger beer
Add all other ingredients. Shake vigorously and strain through a double strainer into a pint glass with ice. Garnish with a cucumber slice. Sip and Enjoy.
Created by Erik Boardman
of Alfa Restaurant and Bar
