To Gin or Not to Gin ...

As a Gin lover, I find that I can add Gin to pretty much any drink and really like it. The question of Gin-ing or not came up recently when trying to finish off a half bottle of French Champagne.

I'd heard that you can pair Champagne and Sloe Gin to produce a light, girly cocktail that is quite refreshing. The recipe is as follows:
Sloe Royale
1 oz Sloe Gin
3 oz Sparkling Wine
berry to garnish

Pour 1 oz Sloe Gin into Champagne flute. Top with 3 oz sparkling wine. Drop in a berry (seasonal) to garnish. Serve.

The problem I have is this. Does the Sloe Gin really enhance the cocktail or would it be better to place a hibiscus flower (that has been candied in syrup) at the bottom of the Champagne glass and top with sparkling wine? I have had both and have a very difficult time choosing a favorite. Maybe I'll just have to do a few more taste tests to see.

Happy Cocktails!

Opportunity Knocks

Every Thursday morning, for the past year or so, there has been a semi truck parked in the dirt off the overpass near my office. It sits innocently on the side of the road in the morning hours and is usually gone before 10am. I wouldn't normally comment on a parked Semi, they're always around. The part that makes this particular truck special is the huge picture of Bacardi Limon and the booze that hides in its cargo section.

Every time I see the truck I get this overwhelming feeling that I need to do something. I need to liberate this hold of booze. I need to be Robin Hood! I need to take from the rich and give to the poor! Namely ... me!

However, my conscious takes over and I think how wrong it would be. I mean, its Bacardi! Who would drink that much bad rum? Sure they could have Bacardi Reserva Limitada, which isn't half bad, but they probably only have Silver.

And this, people, is why I drink Gin.

Crescent City Blossom

This cocktail made 3rd Place (Tie) at the 2007 Tales of the Cocktail, New Orleans, LA. It was created by Martin Cate, now, of the Smuggler's Cove, San Francisco, CA.

• 2 1/2 oz Sparkling Wine
  
• 1 oz Plymouth Gin
• 1 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• 1/4 oz Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters

Combine the above in an ice filled mixing glass. Stir until chilled and strain into a Champagne glass. Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with an orange peel spiral.

This one of my favorite cocktails and I love asking Martin to make it whenever he's behind the bar. Luckily for me, I can make it at home and enjoy it after a lovely meal. Cheers!