The Schoolyard cocktail
Gin, wild chamomile, and lemon.
As I mentioned in another post with more general information about wild chamomile, I used to smell and sample wild chamomile (Matricaria discoidea), otherwise known as "pineapple weed" on the schoolyard, hence the name for this drink. Now I forage it where I can (which is pretty much everywhere in the spring and early summer), wash it, and make a wild chamomile simple syrup with it to be used in cocktails. I played around a bit with this cocktail, including other liquor such as Salers or adding grapefruit bitters, but ultimately it was best to let the wild chamomile syrup shine by keeping it simple. Recipe below is for one cocktail.
1.5oz gin (Bar Hill gin or St.George Terroir would both be good choices)
0.5oz meyer lemon juice
Pineapple weed for garnish
Shake and serve up with pineapple weed flower.
