I was six years old the first time that I saw a Jackson Pollock painting in a volume of the Encyclopedia Brittanica. I was pretty sure that I could have painted it with my eyes closed.  Even in first grade, the snark was powerful.

Of course, later on in life, I learned to appreciate Pollock and his edict that his paintings not be referred to using the word “chaos.”  So when I saw this dress on Shopbop, with it’s drips and dots, my mind immediately wandered to thoughts of splashed and poured paint.

3.1 Phillip Lim Print Tie Front Dress (Shopbop, $495)

Once I saw the dress, I decided to Google: Jackson Pollock’s favorite cocktail.  Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky?  And sure enough, I encountered not Pollock’s favorite cocktail, but a Pollock-themed cocktail.  What kind of evil genius created this?

Photo courtesy of Summit Sips.

Brilliant.

This cocktail requires two recipes: one for the drink itself and one for the basil oil garnish on top.

Cocktail

2 parts gin (or vodka if you’re Belle)

1 part ruby red grapefruit juice

.5 part lime juice

1.5 parts champagne

Garnish

1.5 cups basil leaves

1.5 cups olive oil

Recipe

First, make the basil oil. 

In a food processor, chop basil.  Slowly add olive oil to create an emulsion.

Now create the cocktail.

Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and stir.  

Using an eyedropper (ideally), place 20 drops of basil oil in the bottom of a chilled glass.  Go crazy.  Create shapes and patterns.

Slowly strain/pour the cocktail mix into the glass.  You can add more basil to the top if you wish.