In our Drink of the Week segment, we’ll showcase one unique type of beer, wine, cocktail — you name it — to try at one of the countless breweries, bars and restaurants from around the basin. 

As the Labor Day holiday typically serves as the punctuation mark to the summer season, this week’s cocktail feature couldn’t come at a better time; the last hurrah as we wave goodbye to the warmer temps and beach time before the leaves start to change and we welcome in fall. But, before we do any of that, let’s savor the moment, shall we?  

I’m not sure you can talk about this drink and not start with its beauty. I would say it borders on the line of being too pretty to drink, but you read me at all, you know it’s going to get guzzled down. It’s not just the hue of the drink itself, ether. It is garnished with a dried lemon wheel and flowers and once you inhale that first smell, you can’t not help but imagine the good time that’s in front of you.  

The cocktail ingredients are Tanqueray, dry vermouth, fresh lemon, strawberry puree, and egg whites. The combination of lemon, dry vermouth and gin has been around the cocktail world for ages in the form of a dry martini, so you know they are a winning combination. But, it’s the addition of the egg whites and the strawberry puree that spark this fire – similar to a bloodhound, only in my opinion, better.  

The gin’s botanicals are nicely balanced and really compliment the sweetness of the strawberry puree. The dry vermouth carries its own herb-y-ness so having it join the mix is like another person hopping in the hot tub at a party: welcomed. The lemon adds the much-needed citrus punch, but you have to hand it to the egg whites. The creaminess it lends to the overall mouth feel of all these ingredients is what pushes the ultra clean finish over the top.  

Whether you’re a fan of any of these ingredients (or not), I’m certain their overall combination is enough to put its own punctuation mark on your summer experience. Cheers to the season! 

Tahoe Tavern and Grill is located at 219 Kingsbury Grade in Stateline. For menu and more information, visit them online at tahoetavernandgrill.com or reach them via phone at 775-580-6226.