Crispness and clarity as summer slides into fall
If you’ve been reading me on cocktails for a while, you know I love the classics. But now and then, it’s time for something brand new, even something I’ve made up myself. Tania’s Testament – so named because my friend Tania Owen pointed me in this direction – is just such a drink.
Last month, Tania texted to say that she had been enjoying pamplemousse (that would be grapefruit to all us English-speakers) liqueur, and challenged me to find new uses for it. Never one to shrink from a cocktail challenge, I went directly to the liquor store and began rummaging around in the liquor cabinet as soon as I got home.
The quintessential three-ingredient cocktail formula calls for two parts of a base sprit and one part each of something sweet and something sour. So, I started with gin, the ultimate cocktail base, and added the pamplemousse liqueur as something sweet and lime juice as something sour. And voila –Tania’s Testament.
This is a great one for hot weather – so refreshing over the past several HOT weeks – but it will also go nicely into the fall. It’s very crisp and clean – like the fall air.
Sip a few of these before the cold weather sets in. You’ll thank me. And Tania. And gin. And citrus!
Tania’s Testament
Two parts gin (any good London dry will do)
One part pamplemousse liqueur (see below)
One part fresh lime juice
Shake the mix until freezing cold and serve straight up.
A word on ingredients: There are several brands of pamplemousse liqueur – all French – on the market, but the one I’ve been able to find easily in the larger stores is made by Combier, the same folks who bring us that lovely orange liqueur I often use in Sidecars.