Courtesy of Moshe B Zusman

Lovely Libations

By Natalie Bovis-Nelsen (AKA: TheLiquidMuse.com)

Come Valentine's Day, we either toast eternal love before a roaring fire or roast marshmallows over the flaming photos of Mr. Wrong. This cocktail covers both—the bitter and the sweet!

Bitter Sweet Gin Fizz
(Courtesy of Todd Thrasher at P/X, Old Town Alexandria)

1 1/2 ounces Bombay gin
1 ounce sweet Vya vermouth (P/X mixes its own house vermouth)
A splash of cherry bitters
*Top with vermouth fizz
Garnish with cherry

Vermouth Fizz
1 bottle sweet vermouth
2 sheets bloomed gelatin

For Fizz
In a large pot, bring 3 ounces of vermouth to a simmer. Remove from heat, add the gelatin and wisk until dissolved. Add remaining vermouth, whisking continually. Cool, then pour mixture into a soda siphon with one cartridge of carbon dioxide (CO2).

For Drink
Fill shaker cup with ice. Pour in gin, vermouth and bitters, shake vigorously until ice crystals form. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Add one small squeeze of Vermouth Fizz. Garnish with a cherry.

(February 2007)