This past weekend I hosted a very special Fuck Brunch with the ladies at Dimes, in celebration of a new Salad For President dish on the new menu: Soupy-Salad with Maitake Mushrooms, Escarole and a Poached Egg. We had been planning a little get-together to kick-off the new menu, but then the world imploded… And so, we decided to use the occasion to support a cause that is close to our hearts and more imperiled than ever: Planned Parenthood.

Friends and strangers came down to Dimes on Sunday afternoon for a taste of the new SFP collab, for a glass of Grimm Ales Cherry Raspberry Pop, Shiso-Miso Material Vodka cocktails (recipe below), curry cauliflower toast and rice pudding. The event had three sold-out seatings and proceeds were donated to Planned Parenthood in Mike Pence’s name.

Take that.

Thank you to Gotham Greens, Material Vodka, Grimm Ales and last but not least, Sabrina, Robin and Alyssa of Dimes. The event was a huge success, and our Soupy-Salad is on their menu through the season, so go get a bowl for yourself!

 Shiso-Miso Vodka Collins (Makes 1 cocktail)

For The Syrup (makes 1.5 cups syrup):

• 1 cup demerara sugar
• 2 tsp white miso
• 1 cup fresh shiso leaves, torn

For The Basil Vodka:

• 1 bottle Material vodka
• 2 cups loosely packed Gotham Greens basil, roughly torn

For The Cocktail:

• 1 oz basil-infused Material vodka
• 1 oz shiso-miso demerara simple syrup
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ginger beer

1. To make the simple syrup: Bring sugar and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add miso and whisk to dissolve. Add torn shiso leaves, let cool, then transfer to an airtight container. Cover and chill overnight, straining before use.
2. To make the basil-infused vodka: Pour the vodka into a quart container or glass Mason jar with torn basil and allow to infuse overnight. Strain the herbs out before using.
3. To make the cocktail: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled to halfway with ice.  Shake vigorously.
4. Add a couple of ice cubes to a rocks glass, and pour the shaken cocktail over the ice. Top with a splash of high-quality ginger beer (I like Fevertree), and garnish with fresh basil.