Vacation at Home
We’ve all been drinking more cocktails it seems lately passing the time at home in quarantine. I wanted something today that didn’t weigh me down as Arizona begins to warm up during the day.
Vermouth is an unsung hero of so many cocktails. Prior to Prohibition it held a staring role in drinks but after prohibition it slipped into more of a supporting role. It got a bit of a bad wrap in the 1970’s with the terrible stuff people cooked with and that single bottle that languished in grandma’s cupboard for years.
Quality Vermouth is as special and wonderful as any spirit. It has ask much history and flavor and mystery as as any other category. Even just 5 years ago I couldn’t get more than 1-2 quality vermouths in retail stores In Phoenix. Today I can find 10-12, we have a couple of places that specialize in them. Shout out to ODV Wines if you live in Phoenix. One of the great things about vermouth besides the variety of flavors is the low alcohol content. They are typically between 15-18% alcohol. Which means it’s great for sipping or as the base for a lower proof cocktail.
This drink allows the vermouth to be the star of the show complimented with delicate flavors like pear brandy, & earthy bitters. It gets carbonated which adds a bit of bitterness and poured over crushed ice for a light afternoon sip with fresh red d’anjou pears. You all know I was raised in a pear orchard so they slip into my cocktails a lot.
We are all in quarantine these days so you need a drink you can sip on a lazy Sunday afternoon that won’t make you regret Monday.
Vacation At Home
4 oz Del Professore Sweet Vermouth
2 oz Arizona Distilling Mission Vodka
1 oz St. George Pear Brandy
.5 oz Homemade Falernum (I use that Canon Bar Recipe)
4-5 dashes Bitter Truth Celery Bitters
Stir over ice. Pour into a carbonator like the Drinkmate Carbonator. Do not use a soda stream- please it will explode on you. It must a carbonator with a regulator valve made something other than water. Carbonate per the instructions and serve over crushed ice. Makes 2 drinks.
