Westhampton Beach - It seems that this summer gin is back, Bombay Sapphire specifically. We got the heads up that many of the Hampton's toney nightspots are highlighting Sapphire inspired cocktails like the Sapphire Collins and Sapphire Raspberry Collins, based on recipe submissions to Bombay by some of the East End's mixologists extraodinare.

I went looking for one at Annona in Westhampton Beach and found that Service Director Antonio Bottero was indeed one of the mixologists whose recipe had been selected by Bombay. However, his was not a Collins, but a martini that pays homage to the classic luxury car dealer with whom this beautiful and highly touted Italian restaurant shares the building, Manhattan Motor Sports of the Hamptons.

The balcony of the exquisite tech-chic bar at Annona allows patrons to look down into the showroom and take in the sleek lines and design pedigree of the likes of Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls Royce and, yes, Aston Martin, hence, the Bombay Sapphire Aston Martini. This is one cool summer cocktail, unique and potent with a subtle bite of tartness.

The Bombay Sapphire "Aston Martini."

According to Bottero, "You fill a tall shaker with ice and add 2 ounces of Bombay Sapphire gin, 1 ½ ounces of Aloe Vera juice, a squeeze of cucumber extract and 3-4 drops of lemon bitters. Shake the mixture until very cold and strain into a up martini glass and garnish with a slice of cucumber and a wedge of lemon."

Ingredients:

 • 2 ounces Bombay Sapphire Gin
 • 1 ½ ounces of Aloe Vera juice
 • 1 squeeze of cucumber extract
 • 3-4 drops of lemon bitters
 • 1 slice of cucumber
 • 1 wedge of lemon