Celebrating The French Way – With Delicious Cocktails
Here we go…
1. The Black Rose: Dating back to the Art Deco Era, this pretty little thing is a favorite amongst Parisians, both young and old. While it may look as feminine as a flower, don’t be fooled; its heavy dose of Vermouth certainly packs a punch, and one too many of these pink potions and you’ll be drooping over. Strain measured ingredients into a short glass over ice. Garnish with blackberries, a sprig of rosemary et voilà!
Ingredients:
2 oz French Vermouth
1 oz Blackberry Cordial
1 teaspoon Blackberry Syrup
Blackberries & Rosemary to garnish
2. The Sidecar:The name speaks for itself: you’ll be in no state to get behind the wheel after a few sips of this stuff, that’s for sure! There is some dispute over its creation—with no other than The Ritz Hotel, Paris taking claim for this age-old classic—created way back when sidecars were actually a thing. Shake up Cognac, Cointreau and Lemon Juice in a shaker filled with ice. Wet rim of tall glass and dip in sugar to coat. Strain Cocktail into glass, top with lemon twist.
Recipe:
1 1/2oz Cognac or Armagnac or Bourbon
1oz Cointreau or Triple Sec Orange Liqueur
1/2oz Lemon Juice
Lemon Twist to garnish
Sugar for rimming (optional)
3. Le Forum Cocktail: If you’re lucky enough to actually be in Paris, you should hit up Le Forum, one of Paris’ most historic cocktail bars. At 85 years old, it’s as much of a museum as it is bar; what better excuse is there to drink than that? Devised in the Roaring Twenties, it’s a Parisian twist on the classic Gin Martini. It was popular then, and remains so, now. It’s featured on their menu, even today. Stir ingredients in a large glass filled with ice and strain over frozen Martini Glass.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 Gin
2 tsps Noilly Prat Vermouth
4-5 drops Grand Marnier
4. The French Martini:Paris is scandalously sexy, and a few sips on a French Martini is sure to get you feeling that way, too. A sumptuous purple color issuing from the famous Chambord, it gives a nod to its heritage—it’s Louis XIV himself who is said to be the first to have sampled the liqueur. It’s an elegant love potion made in the City of Love itself. Add Ingredients to a mixer filled with ice, shake, then strain over a Martini glass. Garnish with raspberries to serve.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Chambord flavoured Vodka
1/2 oz Chambord liqueur
2 oz Pineapple Juice
Fresh Raspberries to garnish
5. Serendipiti: A cocktail with its own cheer; you’ll shout its name upon tasting! This noisy number hails from one of the most glamorous hotels in the world: The Ritz, Paris. A refreshing, fruity concoction with added bubbles, it’s elegant and sophisticated—just like the place itself. If getting hold of one of the Ritz’ world class cocktail recipes isn’t a reason to shout, I don’t know what is! Add Apple brandy and mint to a tall tumbler, mashing the two to mix and bruise leaves. Fill with ice, then pour over apple juice.
Ingredients:
1 oz Calvados (or Apple Brandy of choice)
1 oz Apple Juice
Champagne to fill
Spring of Mint
6. Bobo Parisian: Make way, Hemingway! Here comes the new, hipster, gin-drinking Parisian: a Bobo. The Parisian hipsters already have a drink named after them and you can get your hand on one of these at equally edgy bar, Jefrey’s, in the 2ème arrondissement of Paris. If the City of Lights doesn’t happen to be right at your doorstep, don’t fret; with this bitter beverage, you can recreate a piece of Paris chez toi. No, it’s not the easiest of drinks to make, but becoming Parisian–and a hipster one at that—doesn’t happen overnight! Shake everything up in an iced cocktail shaker. Pour into an over-sized tea-cup, top with floating star anise to serve.
Ingredients:
1 3/4 oz Gin (Tanqueray preferred)
1/2 oz St. Germain
1/2 oz King L’avion D’or
1 dash Rhubarb Bitters
White of 1 Egg
Splash of Club Soda
Star Anise to garnish
7. Libertine: If you’re a free thinker that disregards social norms, this cocktail is for you—or so says it’s creator, Jen Riley of Le Red House in Paris. With a reputation for fun over fancy, the Dive Bar’s eclectic range of inventive and intriguing drinks have made it a favorite among hipsters and bartender professionals alike. Add ingredients to shaker filled with ice and shake to combine. Double strain, then shake again without ice. Pour into Champagne flute, top with Ruby Port.
Ingredients:
1 oz Vodka
2 tsps Campari
2 tsps Simple Syrup
2 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Grapefruit Juice
1/2 oz Egg White
1 bar spoon Rhubarb & Ginger Jam
1/2 oz Ruby Port
8. Dirty Margarita: While the idea of Caper Juice in a cocktail might put you off, knowing it was thought up by Rob McHardy of the World Famous Parisian NightClub, Silencio, should help reassure you. David Lynch’s Paris Club is known for being one of the most exclusive in the city, and its cocktails are just as divine. Shake vigorously is a mixer, double strain and pour into a chilled Martini Glass.
Ingredients:
5cl Ocho Blanco Tequila
2cl freshly squeezed Lime Juice
1cl Cointreau
0.35cl salted Caper Juice
0.4cl Agave Syrup
Lime Zest
9. Le Maudit Français:Pushing Parisian boundaries in both taste and name, this Cocktail comes from one of the most popular bars in Paris, The Experimental Cocktail Club. ‘Le Maudit Français’ translates as ‘Bloody French’, and can be both a compliment or an insult, depending on your mood. Add all ingredients except Champagne, Bitters & Orange into a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, pour into a Champagne flute and top with Bitters.
Ingredients:
3 measures Darroze 8-year Armagnac
1 measure Oloroso Sherry
1 measure freshly squeezed Orange Juice
1 measure Maple Syrup
3 measures Champagne
Dash of Bittermans Boston Bitters
Orange Zest
10. French 75: Forget the Arc de Triomphe; Harry’s New York Bar, Paris, offers just as much culture, dating back to 1911. Also the birthplace of the Bloody Mary, the French 75 is a light, refreshing and sophisticated cocktail that suits its Parisian surroundings perfectly. Add gin, champagne & syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shaking vigorously, to combine. Strain into an iced champagne flute.
Ingredients:
2 oz Champagne
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1 oz Gin
2 dashes Simple Syrup
Lemon Twist