Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/65124
FRENCH TWIST THE SANGRIA: "French Mistress" THE BRANDS: Maurin Quina and Junipero Gin (Anchor Distilling) ◗ 750 ml. Maurin Quina ◗ 50 ml. oxidized Maurin Quina ◗ 50 ml. Junipero Gin ◗ 1 teaspoon Scharffen Berger Unsweetened Cocoa Powder ◗ Zest from 1 orange, 1 lime, and 1 lemon ◗ ½ cup red grapes (sliced in half) ◗ ½ cup raspberries ◗ Combine Maurin Quina, Junipero Gin and cocoa powder, stir, cover tightly and let sit in a refrigerator overnight. Strain using a cheesecloth and a tea strainer. Zest a lemon, lime and orange using a vegetable peeler. Macerate sliced grapes, raspberries and zest in strained Junipero/ Maurin Quina for five days in refrigerator. Strain using a fine strainer and pour over cubed ice, reserving the grapes. Allow the drink to bruise (sit in the ice) for a bit before serving. Garnish with a mint sprig, lemon wheel and grapes. Russell Davis was the mixology mind behind this French- inspired Sangria. Fortified with white wine, Maurin Quina is a French-made apéritif created in the late 1800s that came to the forefront in 1906. With ingredients including cherry pits, almond notes and quinine, Maurin Quina's bittersweet quality was sought out by San Fran mixologist Russell Davis. In fact, Davis is such a fan of the brand that he decided to macerate the spirit with red grapes and 100% cacao dark chocolate for five days to bring out more of a red wine quality in his Sangria. Handmade in San Francisco since 1997, Junipero Gin has 12 botanicals that possess a dry, spicy perfume and, in this drink, create a snappy finish. THE SIP: "Mysterious, dark and sensual flavors are woken up by bright citrus notes." —Meridith May "Beautiful presentation and a complex drink: at first astringent but then refreshing, cooling and fruity." —Ted Carmon "A classic!" —Tony Abou-Ganim FOOD-FRIENDLY THE SANGRIA: "Karlsson's Red Sangria" THE BRAND: Karlsson's Gold Vodka (Spirits of Gold USA) ◗ 2 oz. black pepper–infused Karlsson's Gold Vodka ◗ ½ oz. aged balsamic vinegar ◗ ¾ of a whole Meyer lemon, muddled ◗ 3 oz. Petite Sirah ◗ 4 strawberries, muddled Black pepper and aged balsamic sound like accoutrements for a salad or maybe a baked potato, but Harry Denton's Starlight Room Bar Manager Joel Teitelbaum took the cue for his Sangria from the vodka. Karlsson's Gold is made from seven different varieties of virgin potatoes from Sweden—a full-bodied vodka that holds up well with strong flavors and pairs well with many cuisines. THE SIP: Jag Kooner of Karlsson's Gold. "Dense, wonderful flavors with an earthy savoriness." —Meridith May "The intensity of balsamic marries well with the sweeter vanilla. Classic British pairing of black pepper and strawberries." —Erik Adkins may 2012 / the tasting panel / 109