Dearly Departed

This is Dearly Departed, an original cocktail I created recently. The name comes from a song on DeVotchka's album, How It Ends. I wanted to make a martini variation that was still centered on gin. After learning about white port and obtaining a bottle for myself, I found it mixes cooperatively with gin. After a bunch of complex iterations with long ingredient lists, I found that a more minimal approach was the right path. I paired the gin + port combination with Bittermens Boston Bittahs, which has a lovely chamomile note to it. A few drops of Bittermens Buck Ginger, everything clicked together. The result is a dry and minimalist martini-like nightcap.

 

2 oz Tanqueray No. Ten gin (see note)

0.75 oz white port (I used Kopke Dry White)

2 dash Bittermens Boston Bittahs

5-6 drops Bittermens Buck Ginger (omittable if this is hard to find)

 

Combine all of the ingredients into a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until arctic cold. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.

 

Note: Your gin choice matters here. Tanqueray No. Ten has a nice spice profile that works better here. Plymouth-style gins aren't as good. Substitute at your discretion.

 

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