When I first started constructing this cocktail, I had no idea it would be the first in a libation line up dedicated to my friends and their x-rated alter egos. If you aren’t familiar with this fun and hilarious game, this is how you name your character or alter ego: combine your first pet’s name and the name of the street where you grew up. Giving credit where credit is due, my comedian friend Garet Webb came up with the idea for the line up while helping me name this particular cocktail.
I chose Nolet’s Silver gin because of its incredible floral notes, and it is one of my personal favorite gins currently on the market. Nolet’s Silver has been distilled in The Netherlands for over 300 years. Historically, the Nolet family became famous for their distillate known as Ketel One.
When tasting this beautiful gin you will perceive Turkish rose, peaches, and berries, not only on your tongue, but also in your olfactory. There are also several other background botanicals that you will encounter, such as coriander and citrus peel.
Adding blackberries to this libation was a no brainer, but the rosemary was the particular ingredient that sealed the deal. Going against the grain of traditional gin cocktails, I chose lemon juice. Agave is the sweetener because of the binding abilities that this natural substance posses. The beer in this cocktail is a Belgian white called Blanche de Bruxelles. This is my favorite Belgian white, hands down. Since the beer and the spirit have similar ingredients, this cocktail goes down super smoothly and pairs well with spicy charcuterie or a shellfish dish.
In case you are wondering after whom the first cocktail is named, she is one of my favorite people, a great friend, and the singer in a band called Dig The Overground.
Nikki Blackberry
- 2 oz Nolet’s Silver Gin
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- 3 blackberries
- 1 sprig of rosemary
- ¾ oz agave
- 2 oz Blanche de Bruxelles
Add ingredients in the tin. Shake with ice and double strain into a Collins glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a rosemary sprig. Enjoy!!!!!