The Doc "e" Celene Cuvée Royale Recipe
Grey Olives..... Goose, Dry Vermouth, Blue Cheese
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Ingredients
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Cocktail Base
Garnish & Accents
Method
Prepare Goose-Fat-Washed Spirit (advance — makes about 3–4 servings)
Render & combine
In a small saucepan, warm 1 tablespoon of high-quality rendered goose fat until liquid (do not brown). Combine with 8 oz neutral spirit (vodka or unflavored spirit) in a jar. Stir to combine.
Separate
Remove the jar, skim off the hardened fat, then strain the spirit through a fine mesh and a coffee filter into a clean bottle. This yields goose-fat-washed spirit. Measure 0.25 oz per cocktail when assembling.
Prepare Olives & Blue Cheese Garnish
Pit the large grey olives if not already pitted. Using a small paring knife or skewer, stuff each olive with a small crumble of blue cheese (about 1/6 oz per olive). For a balanced bite, press the cheese gently so it adheres but doesn’t overflow.
Optional: Lightly chill the stuffed olives so the cheese firms up (10–15 minutes) before skewering.
Assemble Cocktail
Mix base
In a mixing glass filled with fresh ice, combine 2 oz gin (or vodka), 0.5 oz dry vermouth, and 0.25 oz goose-fat-washed spirit. Stir gently for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
Strain & top
Discard ice/water from the chilled serving glass. Double-strain the mixed base into the chilled glass. Immediately top with 2 oz chilled Cuvée Royale (sparkling wine) by pouring gently down the side to preserve bubbles.
Garnish & finish
Skewer the three blue-cheese-stuffed grey olives on a cocktail pick and rest across the rim or float in the drink. If desired, express a lemon twist over the surface and discard or place on the rim. Optionally, rim the glass lightly with coarse sea salt before pouring for a savory edge.
Serving & Notes
Serve immediately while sparkling wine is lively. Provide an extra skewer of olives on the side for guests who want another bite. The goose-fat-washed spirit adds a subtle savory, silky mouthfeel that complements the blue cheese and briny olives; adjust the washed spirit amount to taste (0.25–0.5 oz).