Fall Ginger Smash
by Jason Kosmas, Dushan Zaric
This fall version of the Ginger Smash has been with us for years, but it truly came together with the addition of allspice dram, a highly bitter and aromatized liqueur. It contrasts two of our favorite ingredients, pears and ginger. Gin mixes very well with pears because it helps open up the subtle aromas that these pome fruits are prized for. Green Bartlett pears are our choice in this cocktail because of their tartness and solid nature. Feel free to try whatever pear you can find in the peak of its season.
Serves 1
2 thin slices fresh ginger
5 thin slices Bartlett pear
1 tsp. superfine sugar
1-1/2 fl. oz. Plymouth gin
1-1/2 fl. oz. Berentzen Apfelkorn apple liqueur
3/4 fl. oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 dash St. Elizabeth allspice dram
Muddle the ginger, pear, and sugar in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add the gin, apple liqueur, juice, and allspice dram and add enough large cold ice cubes to fill a rocks glass. Cover and shake hard but briefly. Pour unstrained into a rocks glass and serve.
photo: John Kernick © 2010
November 10, 2010
Reprinted with permission from Speakeasy: Classic Cocktails Reimagined, from New York's Employees Only Bar by Jason Kosmas & Dushan Zaric, copyright © 2010. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.
