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Tried the original recipe—too much pineapple, even though I used 1/4 less than called for. I dug around and found the Harlem cocktail is very similar, just without basil and simple, less pineapple, and adding maraschino liqueur. I kept the basil and loved this version… but still a BIT too sweet.

So I googled other variants of the Harlem and found the ‘Updated Harlem’ from NYT cooking, which adds lemon juice and angostura. Now THAT version (keeping the basil) gets a 4.5 to 5 stars from me!

I thought, at first, that the basil leaf flavour had not come through - but it is there, subtly and magically, on the "finish" with a slight herbal tingle on the tongue. Used an available pineapple juice from local supermarket and Beefeater Gin (which is the house gin at my local cocktail bar). It's an unusual (for me) and compelling combination of flavours. With Rutte or other more herbally-forward gins, I am sure the overall effect is enhanced and intensified. A fantastic find!