Pre-prohibition cocktails and modern twists on classics

Rose Tinted Glass

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Rose Tinted Glasses

Ingredients:

1.5oz Nolet’s Gin

.75oz Dolin Blanc

.25oz Aperol

2 dashes Peach Bitters

4 drops Rose water

Lemon Twist

Instructions:

Add the Nolet’s Gin, Dolin Blanc, Aperol and Peach Bitters to a chilled mixing glass. Add ice and stir until well chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Drop a few drops of rose water on top and then garnish with a lemon twist.

Notes:

Light notes of rose, citrus, fresh peaches and botanicals on the nose. The taste is light on the tongue, airy and refreshing with similar notes: peach, rose, citrus, rhubarb, botanicals, faint bitter quinine. The mouth feel upfront is so light that you feel like you are drinking rose and peach infused water. Light alcohol comes through at the end of the palate. The finish begins smooth and sweet, then dries out with a barely bitter finish.

Rose Tinted Glasses 2

History:

I finally had a chance to try what has instantly become a new favorite premium gin: Nolet’s. After tasting it neat, I was inspired to play around a bit and came up with a couple cocktails. To those that don’t know, Nolet’s is a premium gin that has accents of rose and peaches in addition to other more traditional botanicals. It’s lighter, smoother and not quite as dry as a typical London Dry. While much different in flavor, think of it like you might think of Hendrick’s, a high end gin with something a little more than the “average” gin, yet smoother and lighter than Hendrick’s. I could also see Nolet’s being a “gateway gin,” luring in those vodka fans who haven’t quite developed a taste for gin.

Stay tuned for more cocktails featuring Nolet’s Gin.

For this one, I wanted to keep the rose and peach accents dominant, so the peach bitters and rose water seemed like a natural addition. I started with Manzanilla Sherry, which while quite good, slightly overpowered the unique flavors of the Nolet’s. I tried Dry Vermouth, which was excellent and perfectly balanced, but essentially a Martini (definitely delicious with Nolet’s, btw). Finally, I went for Dolin Blanc (white sweet vermouth), hitting a really great balance between a Martini and a Martinez. The bitters and rose water accentuate Nolet’s, while the Aperol sweetens up the drink, complimenting it with orange, rhubarb and lightly bitter accents.

Overall, this is one amazingly refreshing drink that will surely appeal to fans of the Martini and Martinez, as well as those new to classic cocktails. Give it a go and let me know what you think.

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13 Responses to “Rose Tinted Glass”

  1. Bruce

    I gather from your experimentation that there isn’t really a good substitute for the drops of rose water, yes? I ask because other than this intriguing drink what would one do with the rest of even a small bottle of rose water?

    Reply
    • The Straight Up

      Nice to hear from you again Bruce. Did you ever go for the Domaine de Canton?

      To be honest you could definitely do this without the rose water. I really just put a touch on the top to add aromatics to the nose and accent the rose flavor of Nolet’s. I haven’t really used it much, but it’s not too expensive so figured why not. That being said people like to pair it with gin or Champagne cocktails in particular, among other things. I could see it maybe going well in something like a French 75 with Nolet’s if you felt the need to combine both gin and Champagne. Guess the question is how much does the taste/scent of roses appeal to you? If that’s up your alley, you will likely find things to do with it.

      Reply
      • Bruce

        I did go for the Domaine de Canton. Great recommendation there. I keep seeing ads for The King’s Ginger. Have you tried that one? Good point about finding things to use the rose water it with. Funny how when you buy something new uses seem to pop up all over the place.

      • The Straight Up

        Nice! Glad you like it. Kings Ginger is not on the same level as Domaine de Canton in my mind (and no they don’t pay me, I wish!). De Canton is like the Cointreau (triple sec) or Grand Marnier (Curaçao) of ginger liqueurs at this point. Sure both are ginger, but one has a much higher end feel and tastes great sipped neat, if that comparison helps.

        Yeah on another note, I remember thinking, “what would I do with an iPad?” Now I can’t imagine not having one.

    • The Straight Up

      Thanks! Unfortunately my cocktail delivery service is nonexistent (future project?). I do know of a couple folks who do ship drink kits if you’re interested.

      Reply

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