Cocktail Hour: A Floral Cocktail

[dropcap2]F[/dropcap2]or a month in Bloom, it would be lovely to get some  beautiful floral notes into a tasty tipple. There are many ways to get florals into your cocktails: rosewater, orange flower water, lavender, and hibiscus, but by far the easiest is with St. Germain liqueur. Without a deft hand, orange flower water or rosewater can quickly result in a soapy tasting drink. However, St. Germain is your hat trick, because as the magicians behind the stick will attest to, this French elderflower liqueur is often referred to as ‘bartenders’ ketchup’ due to its uncanny ability to make everything taste better. It is a bit of a cheat, but like any good party trick, it will still wow and amaze your friends.

St. Germain is a sweet French liqueur made from delicate elderflower blossoms. Those beautiful floral notes come through in this cocktail which is similar to a Can-Can Martini but has more spring in its step due to the addition of citrus and the light absinthe rinse. I like to call it a Spring Galop. I hope you serve it at your next party and enjoy the accompanying accolades.
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Spring Galop

1.5 oz Gin
1 oz St Germaine
3/4 oz dry vermouth
3/4 oz lemon juice

Pastis rinse

Combine first four ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake until well chilled.
Rinse cocktail coupe with Pastis. Strain cocktail into glass, serve; wow, and amaze.
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Bloom: “A flourishing, healthy condition; the time or period of greatest beauty and artistry.” This month we’re celebrating all things spring and ‘April-showering’ you with beauty and joy.