Nice (by Way of Antibes) is a refreshing twist on the Antibes cocktail. It’s from noted spirits writer Jason Wilson, who loved the original so much, he came up with this lengthened, Rickey-style riff. Like its progenitor, this one is bracing and bright, with grapefruit notes supported by gin’s botanicals and the sweet honey of Bénédictine (a sweet herbal liqueur) – but with some added nuance thanks to the sparkling water, which allows some of the more subtle scents and flavors to bubble up.
Depending on your preferences, you could mix up the flavor by swapping in a different type of gin. A barrel-aged gin could amplify the honey flavors of Bénédictine, while a more botanic-forward gin would play up the herbal notes instead. You could also try the drink with a splash of a flavored sparkling water, so long as it isn’t too strongly-flavored; a grapefruit or lime flavor from a quality brand would be lovely, for example.
