Cocktail recipe: Illumination by Mandarin Oriental hotel mixologist Priscilla Young

Sunday marks the Emmy Awards show, and we’ve been on the lookout for a glitzy drink you can make at home to help lubricate the broadcast. Our pick is the Mandarin Illumination. It was created by Mandarin Oriental hotel mixologist Priscilla Young for Hollywood heavy hitters at the Telluride Film Festival, which took place this month. The peppy libation, which features refreshing cucumber vodka mixed with crisp ginger beer and tart lemon juice, reminds us of something Emmy nominee Lena Dunham’s “Girls” character Hannah might try to sip to look smooth, only to end up spilling it all over her date’s lap.

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Mandarin Illumination by Priscilla Young

1 ounce Square One cucumber vodka

3/4 ounce agave nectar

3/4 ounce ginger beer

3/4 ounce lemon juice

1 dash of cardamom bitters

Combine ingredients with ice in a tin, shake and strain into a white wine glass. Garnish with two thin cucumber slices.

— Jessica Gelt