Cocktail Naming

 I have been making a lot of cocktails lately. Mostly experimental - and some experiments are not as good as others. My inspiration comes from JM Hirsch and his excellent book, "Pour Me Another". Not so much for the specific recipes, but more of the minimalist mindset that Mr. Hirsch applies. And by minimalist, he really wants each componet to pull its own weight in the drink, and for no one flavor to aggressively overshadow the others. For example, citrus zests feauture when making sours, not the really heavy lemon juice acidity.

Since these cocktails were all new creations, or variations on existing drinks, we just had to have a cocktail naming party. 10 people, 4 cocktails to name, followed by dinner.

I batched the cocktails, and we had small tasting pours (followed by refills as necessary ?!

#1 Pucker-Up Kiss

This cocktail is a rum punch variant. It does use the juice of a lime, but the rum is strong enough to carry it. It is definitely a tart drink - very little sweetening involved.

Ingredients

2 Oz Appleton Estate Signature Rum

1 Oz Lime Juice

3/4 Oz Grenadine (Liber)

6 kosher salt crystals

8 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Method

All ingredients into a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe.

Another way would be to stir into a rocks glass with one large clear-ice cube. Rub edge of the glass with lime zest and serve with a lime twist.

#2 Golden Sophia

This is a (sort of) Negroni variant. Instead of the Campari, I used an Amaro. Orange bitters gave a ice hint, and the dehydrated blood orange was a great garnish/complement.

Ingredients

2 Oz Light Gin - By light I mean one where the Juniper is not too forward. We used Citadelle

1/2 Oz Amaro Vigo

2 Oz Red Vermouth (Dolin in our case)

4 Dashes Orange Bitters

6 Kosher Salt Crystals

All ingredients into a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe. Garnish with dehydrated blood orange sections.

Another way would be to stir into a rocks glass with one large clear-ice cube.

#3 Pink Pleasure

Yes, I know that this sounds rather obscene. But by this time the group was feeling no pain. It was quite a strong drink . And it has to be shaken

Ingredients

3 Oz Light Gin

1/8 tsp Habanero Vodka (a home made infusion)

1/2 Oz. Grapefruit Cordial

1 Oz Lillet Blanc (White Vermouth)

4 Dashes Peychaud Bitters

1 Egg White

6 Kosher Salt crystals

Method

All ingredients into a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake very vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe.

#4 Not Marianne

By now the creativity was in full spate. You really do have to like ginger for this one!

Ingredients

3 Oz Wild Turkey 101 Rye

1/2 tsp. Grated raw Ginger

1 Oz Ginger Liqueur (Domaine de Canton)

1.2 Oz Fiery Ginger Syrup (Liber)

8 Dashes Angostura Bitters

6 Kosher Salt Crystals

Method

All ingredients into a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake very vigorously for 30 seconds. Double strain into a coupe to remove the grated ginger..