Being Thankful in a Strange Year
2020 is a year none of us will forget. Nearly everything we thought about the world going into the year has been changed in some way. So at Thanksgiving this year being thankful took on a more simple feel. Having a job that pays my bills and a healthy family feels like a bounty in this year of extreme loss. My Thanksgiving cocktail represents the same simplicity and perhaps somber notes. I didn’t feel like the standard bubbly cranberry cocktail. Something older, more grounded and more warm and comforting felt right.
This gin is one of my special bottles. Not because of rarity or price but rather the lack of accessibly for me. I can’t get it in the US. So it always requires a special trip to the Canadian distillery in Naramata, B.C. to pick it up. Legend Distilling is doing some great stuff and this smoked rosemary gin is no exception. The smoke is present but not heavy and the rosemary compliments it perfectly. If you have a chance to visit the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia I encourage it. It is the premier wine region in Canada. The arid high desert climate is a favorite of grape vines. The hard cold freezes results in some lovely ice wines in addition to the big pinots that are a fan favorite. There are over 100 wineries within an hours drive of the border. Kelowna is booming and the water front location makes it the perfect home base to explore the region. I have some bar recommendations as well if you are interested.
The cocktail is a Martinez. A classic in every way. First showing up in in print in the 1884 book, “The Modern Bartender’s Guide” by O.H. Byron, but it’s likely that the cocktail predated the book by at least a decade. The modern recipe more closely resembles the 1887 publication by Jerry Thomas. In addition to the smoked rosemary gin I used an Italian white sweet vermouth that is one of my favorites. It’s the Del Professore Classico. The amber color makes it a more diminutive part of the drink color palette and the flavor is lovely balance of fruit and spice. The drink is garnished with a luxardo cherry and torched rosemary which hints at what’s to come in the drink.
Thankfully Martinez
1.5 oz Legend Distilling Smoked Rosemary Gin
1.5 Del Professore Classico White Vermouth
.25 Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Stir over ice until chilled. Served up, Garnish with a Luxardo cherry and flamed rosemary.
