French Blond Cocktail – Cookie and Kate

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Have you ever ever heard of a French Blond cocktail? Me neither, till final week! I learn that it’s Taylor Swift’s favourite cocktail after she lately requested it at a neighborhood Kansas Metropolis restaurant referred to as Rye. As soon as I noticed the substances—grapefruit, gin, Lillet and elderflower, I knew I needed to strive it. It’s unbelievable. The cocktail is well-balanced, citrusy and floral, not too robust and never too candy.

I’m usually utterly oblivious to each popular culture and soccer, to the purpose that when my husband got here residence from a charity occasion final yr and advised me he was on a staff with Travis Kelce, I stated, “Who’s that?” However the funniest factor has occurred now that Taylor is courting Travis. All of the sudden, I’m fascinated by a pair I’ve by no means met, I’m being attentive to soccer, and I’m questioning, who am I? Am I a Swiftie now?

Possibly it’s the sheer proximity of all of it, like I’ve been to Rye, the place Taylor Swift supposedly ordered this cocktail! My buddy’s mother noticed Travis on the Apple Retailer the opposite day! My husband stated that Travis was pleasant and nice with children, and the one rumor I’ve heard about Taylor is that she is certainly very good. Possibly it’s as a result of they appear like an important match, so that they remind me of when my husband and I began courting.

Possibly it’s as a result of I, like all of Taylor’s followers, think about that perhaps we might be mates if we met in actual life. How loopy is that? Taylor, we now have chilly Lillet within the fridge should you guys need to come by for a cocktail. Now I’ve actually misplaced my thoughts. Anyway, go Chiefs!

French Blond Cocktail Elements

I seemed by means of all of my cocktail books and couldn’t discover the French Blond recipe in any of them. The small print are obscure, however my understanding is that this obscure drink does certainly hail from France. It’s been round for the reason that Nineteen Twenties (maybe). When you love a French 75 or vivid citrus and gin drinks like a Tom Collins, you need to do this one.

Right here’s what it’s worthwhile to make a unbelievable French Blond cocktail (and what you don’t). I’ve tried it with varied proportions, and also you’ll discover my favourite model within the recipe on the backside of the submit.

Lillet Blanc

Lillet, pronounced lee-LAY, is a French aperitif wine fortified with a mix of citrus liqueurs. Lillet Blanc, the unique selection, is made with a mix of white Bordeaux grapes. Its taste is troublesome to explain, however comprises notes of flowers, candied oranges, honey, pine resin & unique fruits.

Tip: As soon as opened, you will need to retailer Lillet within the fridge (identical for vermouths, as they’re all wines). Lillet will preserve for as much as one month. Let me let you know, I unintentionally left Lillet open on the counter for just a few days, and it ruined my subsequent French Blond! Leftover Lillet makes a pleasant spritz with membership soda and a squeeze of citrus.

Grapefruit Juice

Freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice usually yields the very best taste. You possibly can sometimes squeeze sufficient juice from one massive grapefruit for 2 of those cocktails. Grapefruit is in season through the winter, so there are some enjoyable varieties obtainable now. I attempted a number of, and the MeloGold (label 3152) is unbelievable, with a aromatic floral word that pairs fantastically with the gin and elderflower.

French Redhead Cocktail Variation: Make your cocktail with Ruby Pink grapefruit or one other pink grapefruit, and also you’ll find yourself with a good looking pink drink referred to as the French Redhead! I liked this selection as effectively.

Gin

Hendrick’s gin is fantastic right here. Hendrick’s botanical gin has notes of cucumber and rose, which mix effectively with our different substances. You would additionally use a dry London-style gin (I attempted Kansas Metropolis’s Rieger model), however the gin taste is a bit more current and a bit harsh.

St-Germain

St-Germain is a beautiful elderflower liqueur. It’s candy, so a bit goes a great distance. I don’t preserve quite a lot of liqueurs round, however St-Germain is completely well worth the shelf house and appears stunning, too. It’s also possible to take pleasure in St-Germain in your French 75s in lieu of plain easy syrup.

Lemon Juice and Peel

Most French Blond cocktail recipes name for lemon bitters, however contemporary lemon juice is significantly better. Consider me, I attempted three totally different sorts of bitters, and even one drop dominates the flavour and crushes the delicate botanical notes that make this drink so particular.

You’ll additionally want a twist of contemporary lemon peel, which affords a great deal of lemon taste. The trick is to twist the peel over the cocktail to launch the citrus oil instantly into the drink, then run it alongside the rim of the glass for lemon aroma in each sip.

Extra Gin Recipes to Attempt

These pleasant gin cocktails are equally citrusy and refreshing.

Please let me know the way your cocktail seems within the feedback! I like listening to from you.

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