Cocktail for a vampire
Mid-way through October, I am really getting into the Halloween spirit…and also the spirits. This drink was developed as one of the menu items for our vampire party. It is a simple gin and jam made to please the thirstiest of blood suckers.
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
3/4 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
1 teaspoon strawberry or raspberry jam
Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to an ice filled cocktail shaker. Shake to chill. Strain into a coupe or ice-filled rocks glass. Top with a spoon of jam. Enjoy responsibly.
Glassware: These dessert bowls are a red depression glass set I picked up at a thrift store for a few dollars.
Because they are actually bowls, the thick walls make it feel like you’re drinking from a goblet.
A unique serving glass increases the character of a simple drink. They also hold 8 ounces which leaves room for plenty of crushed ice, my favorite way to enjoy this drink.
Jam: The proportions of lemon and simple syrup can be altered as desired to make the drink more sweet or tart. I intentionally go easy on the simple syrup because stirring in the jam will sweeten the drink. If the jam is too thick, it won’t incorporate into the cocktail well; stir it around with some simple syrup to loosen it.
I preserve various flavors of strawberry jam when fruit is in season, and it makes for an at-the-ready addition to everything from vinaigrettes to cocktails for extra sweetness and bonus flavor.