This is yet another take on a classic vodka tonic and it is a particularly refreshing summer drink, with citrus and floral undertones.
You can top it up with soda water rather than tonic (which will cut calories) though you may have to add more honey to adjust the flavor. I find that I tend to gulp the soda version and sip the tonic one as the soda version doesn't taste like an alcoholic beverage so buyer beware!
Speaking of honey, use a really flavorful one here so that you can taste it in the back notes of the drink; the grocery store one in the honey bear won't cut it here. My sister recently gave me some avocado flower honey that she brought back from California; it definitely added flavor as well as sweetness to the drink.
This makes one cocktail.
1 measure vodka (to each his own size-wise)
Juice from one lemon, Meyer lemon is particularly delicious here
1 large handful lemon balm + 1 sprig for decoration
2 tsps honey
Tonic water or soda water
Ice
Put the lemon balm, the lemon juice, the honey and the juiced lemon, quartered, in a shaker. Muddle really well. The lemon juice will help to melt the honey and muddling the spent lemon quarters will add lemon oil and more fragrance to the final drink.
Add ice cubes and the vodka to the shaker. Shake well to combine and chill.
Pour through the shaker strainer into an ice filled highball glass. Top with tonic or soda and garnish with a sprig of lemon balm. If you are feeling fancy, you can make ice cubes with lemon balm leaves frozen in the center of them to continue your lemon balm theme.