SNACKS

last night leah & i ,along with krysta oben (of cowbell), were invited to participate in the order of good cheer; a cocktail faceoff hosted by ivy knight of the newly launched toronto-based food site, swallow food which took place at the drake hotel as a part of 86’d mondays. we were each asked to reinterpret one of my favourite all-time classic cocktails, the french 75.

those who know me, know me well. you can often find me at the toronto temperance society after work having a drink (two, three… oops!); sometimes a rye sazarac, sometimes something new & interesting by our good friend oliver stern, but more than likely, a french 75. i love this drink so much, it oftens leaves me in tears, and oliver makes the best one in the city by far.

with the help of benjamin deacon, head bartender at there restaurant in where i work, we came up with this little ditty… and it’s delicious. light, dry, floral and slightly herbaceous; southern sweet tea with an alcoholic’s twist, i hate to say i might even prefer it to the classic. sorry, olly.

the virginia housewife
1oz plymouth gin
0.5oz carpano antica formula sweet vermouth (cinzano works in a pinch)
0.5oz cold loose leaf earl grey tea
0.25oz honey syrup
0.25oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
barspoon of wild bergamot jelly (forbes wild foods)

combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker + shake with ice. strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled champagne flute. top with prosecco or cava (but preferably champagne) & an earl grey tea ice cube (frozen earl grey tea). enjoy.

-lw xo