Fromage & Jardin / Cheese & Garden Recipe

Prepare Boursin slurry

In a small bowl, combine 1 oz softened Boursin cheese with 1 cup cold water. Whisk vigorously until the cheese is broken up and a milky, emulsified slurry forms (about 1–2 minutes).

Mix with Campari

In a separate mixing container, pour 3 oz Campari. Add the Boursin slurry to the Campari and stir thoroughly for 30–45 seconds to allow proteins and fats in the Boursin to begin binding with the Campari pigments and tannins.

Settle and separate

Let the Campari-Boursin mixture sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. During this time curdling/precipitation will occur as the cheese proteins coagulate and trap pigments, clarifying the liquid above.

Strain through cheesecloth

Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth or muslin over a clean bowl or measuring cup. Pour the mixture slowly through the cloth and allow the clarified red liquid to drip through. Do not press the solids immediately; allow gravity to do most of the work (about 20–30 minutes).

Optional second filtration

If the liquid still appears slightly cloudy, refold the cheesecloth and filter a second time, or pass through a coffee filter for a clearer result. Collect clarified Campari and refrigerate briefly if not using immediately. Yield should be approximately 3 oz clarified Campari.

Reserve solids

Discard or compost the spent cheese solids (they will be bitter and have absorbed Campari pigments).

Measure ingredients

Measure 1.5 oz of the clarified Campari, 1.25 oz gin, 0.75 oz Lillet Blanc, and 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice.

Dry chill (optional)

If you prefer a colder, more integrated drink, place your coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes before mixing.

Shake with ice

In a cocktail shaker, add the clarified Campari, gin, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, and a generous handful of ice (about 1 cup). Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the shaker is well-chilled.

Double-strain

Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch any small ice chips or particles.

Garnish and finish

Garnish with a small tuft of microgreens or a single herb sprig placed gently on the surface to evoke the 'garden' aspect. Express a lemon twist over the drink and discard or rub the twist on the rim for added aroma before resting it on the glass (optional).

Serve

Serve immediately. Sip and note the silky mouthfeel and clarified bittersweet Campari interplay with the floral gin and gently bitter-sweet Lillet.