Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/19027
The Art of RomanceFEMININE WILES WIN OUT IN THE SOUTHWEST and for this self-described girly-girl, Chambord Flavored Vodka is the queen of femininity in the spirits world. “It’s just such a pretty vodka,” says Kotantoulas, who is behind the stick at Scottsdale, AZ’s hottest 21st-century speakeasy, Mabel’s on Main. “It’s really feminine, and it makes you feel like a girl; to me, that’s romance.” For her Chambord cocktail, A Kotantoulas was inspired by a painting depicting one of the arts’ most famed ccording to Niki Kotantoulas, nothing says romance more clearly than being feminine, Niki Kotantoulas fi nds romance in all things feminine. females, Ophelia, the tragic beauty in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. “This cocktail was named after the painting Ophelia, by John William Waterhouse,” she explains. The Ophelia cocktail’s outer beauty is evident, thanks to its delicate blush hue and simple, sultry, rose-petal garnish, but like all great beauties, this quaff’s true allure lies inside. “The St-Germain complements the Chambord perfectly,” explains Kotantoulas of The Ophelia’s inner beauty. “It brings out a nice light sweetness, and because they’re both French, it’s also super romantic,” she says with a laugh. “Everything is so much more passionate over there! Love is just oozing out of Europe.” —R. B. The Ophelia 2 oz. Chambord Flavored Vodka ½ oz. St-Germain elderfl ower liqueur Splash of Luxardo cherry juice 2 squezes of lemon Dash rosewater Shake, strain and serve up in a Martini glass. Garnish with a fl oating rose petal. “Ophelia is truly a soft, feminine and beautiful painting, and so is Chambord Flavored Vodka” says Niki Kotantoulas, who recalls one of her most romantic memories as a moment spent in the mountains of Greece, surrounded by butterfl ies. “I believe romance begins when you are in tune with your own appeal and inner as well as an outer beauty.” november 2010 / the tasting panel / 57 PHOTO: BRANDON SULLIVAN PHOTO: BRANDON SULLIVAN