It's not every author who has a husband who will create a special cocktail to celebrate her new novel, set in the 80s in Chicago! Call me Absolut-ly Lucky!
The ABSOLUT-Y, SILVER GIRL Cocktail
By
Steve Ello
The 1980’s ushered in the advent of Vodka as an
emerging cocktail spirit in the American market. One of the most successful and iconic ad
campaigns of the decade were the ads made for Absolut Vodka featuring the
bottle in a variety of whimsical displays.
At the same time, California wine producers began to take on the
Champagne region of France with their more affordable and approachable
sparkling wines. The Korbel brand from Sonoma, California was a leader in
making the “champagne experience” more accessible.
Absolut-ly, Silver Girl recognizes this time period—the
setting for Leslie’s novel SILVER GIRL—and the roles both Vodka and Sparkling
Wine played in our drinking lives in the 80s. It’s also an attempt at a playful update of the
classic and refreshing Tom Collins cocktail first memorialized in 1876 by Jerry
Thomas who many recognize as “the father of American mixology.”
In the Absolut-ly, Silver Girl Cocktail we have swapped
Vodka for Gin, replaced granulated sugar with a more complex simple syrup and
introduced a dash each of cherry bitters and orange bitters to replace the
typical Collins’ garnishes. Topping off this cocktail is sparkling wine which takes
the place of carbonated water.
Below are two versions of the Absolut-ly, Silver
Girl Cocktail.
Cheers!
Drink created by Steve Ello.
Absolut-ly, Silver Girl Cocktail (Served up)
1
oz Absolut Vodka
½
oz Fresh Lemon Juice
½
oz 1:1 Simple Syrup*
1
Dash Orange Bitters
1
Dash Cherry Bitters
Add
the ingredients above to a shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Double
strain into a chilled coupe.
Top
with:
1
oz of Korbel Brut Sparkling Wine and a Lemon Twist
Absolut-ly, Silver Girl Cocktail (On the rocks)
1
oz Absolut Vodka
½
oz Fresh Lemon Juice
½
oz 1:1 Simple Syrup*
1
Dash Orange Bitters
1
Dash Cherry Bitters
Add the ingredients above to a rocks or Collins
glass and stir. Add ice.
Top
with:
1
oz of Korbel Brut Sparkling Wine and a Lemon Twist
*How
to make 1:1 simple syrup:
Boil
one cup water. Add one cup granulated sugar. Stir until dissolved. Cool before
use. (Can be stored for several weeks in the refrigerator.)
