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Three French Hens

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I typically prepare for my monthly contribution to our newsletter by spending time trying to dig up the recipe for some prehistoric libation, or knocking the dust off an ancient spirit or liqueur to write about … something rare or exciting to keep everyone interested, so to speak. This time around, my focus is to promote a delicious cocktail that was created by a young man who is very talented in the realm of combining flavors, and also has a knack for being adventurous with flavor pairings. This holiday season the Pensacola News Journal featured a daily cocktail creation for each of the twelve days leading up to Christmas. Some of the area’s brightest bar folks were asked to participate, and each day, we as readers were given a wonderful new recipe for an original, holiday-themed beverage. Jackson’s very own Will Boatner was tasked with day three of the ever-popular holiday song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” With “Three French Hens” as his task, he worked to come up with something that was not only tasty, but that was also thematic. He wanted to utilize egg white for froth (and for the hen part), and to make the drink with as many French ingredients as possible. The result is, according to its creator, a “delicious spin on the classic French Gimlet.” As always, you can stop by the restaurant on any evening during the month, and we would love to make one for you, but if you want to try it at home, the recipe is listed below.

Ingredients:

21/4 ounces Grey Goose La Poire vodka

3/4 ounce spiced simple syrup (recipe follows)
3/4 ounce St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
1/2 ounce lime juice
1 egg white
Cinnamon and brown sugar, for rim

Lime peel, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and allspice, for garnish

For the spiced simple syrup:
1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1 tsp. allspice, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar

Instructions:

For the cocktail:

Rim a chilled martini glass with cinnamon and brown sugar.
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 1 minute to froth your egg white.
Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a lime peel and a dusting of cinnamon, cayenne, and allspice.

For the spiced simple syrup:

Bring ingredients to a boil, and then simmer until spices and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

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