Loire Valley Recipe

Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer or fill with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.

Measure & Combine

Add 2 oz gin, 0.5 oz dry vermouth, 0.5 oz elderflower liqueur, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 oz dry white wine, 0.25 oz simple syrup and 2 dashes orange bitters into a cocktail shaker.

Add Ice

Fill the shaker with large ice cubes (enough to nearly fill) to properly chill and dilute the drink.

Shake

Secure the shaker and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty and well chilled. The goal is proper dilution (about 15–20% by volume) and integration of the wine without over-diluting.

Strain

Discard the ice or water from the chilled glass. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled coupe using the Hawthorne and a fine strainer (or a single fine strainer) to remove tiny ice shards and any pulp from the lemon juice.

Express the oils of a lemon twist over the surface of the cocktail by pinching the twist skin-side down above the drink, then rub the rim of the glass with the twist and drop it into the cocktail.

Optionally float an edible flower on the surface for a Loire Valley floral impression. Serve immediately.