Frankie Cadillac Gin

Frankie Cadillac Gin was developed with a NegroniNegroniAn Italian cocktail of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and red bitter (Campari), served over ice with orange peel. Born in Florence in 1919.Glossary in mind: the signature Negroni of Frankie Cadillac, a bar in Surry Hills, Sydney, which made it with Banks & Solander Distillery. Its declared botanicals are juniper, pink peppercorn, elderflower, grapefruit and orange, and it is bottled at 42% ABV.

Citrus · Spicy · Floral

Grapefruit gives the gin its bright opening, followed by juniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary and the measured warmth of pink peppercorn. The aroma also carries impressions of coriander seed, and the distillery's tasting notes mention rhubarb on the palate before a crisp, woody finish. The peppercorn's gentle heat meets a bittersweet citrus, and elderflower stays in the background, rounding the aroma without making it sweet. The progression is lively without being sharp: citrus first, spice next, then a dry, woody close. Pink peppercorn is a dried berry with a mild, fruity heat rather than a true pepper.

Every choice in the recipe points to the cocktail. Grapefruit and orange suit the bitter orange character of a Negroni, pink peppercorn gives it a little extra warmth, and the elderflower softens the bitter aperitif. The same balance makes it a good gin for an Americano with gin added, or for a simple gin and tonic with an orange twistTwistA strip of peel twisted over the glass to release its oils, then dropped into the drink.Glossary. An orange garnish suits it better than berries or strong herbs. Its bright citrus also makes it a good partner for a Gin Sour.

For the Negroni, stir 3 cl of Frankie Cadillac Gin, 3 cl of sweet vermouthVermouthAn aromatised, fortified wine flavoured with herbs and barks; its name comes from the German Wermut, wormwood. Dry vermouth goes into a Martini, sweet red into a Negroni.Glossary and 3 cl of bitter aperitif with ice. Strain over a large cube in a low tumblerRocks glassA short, heavy glass (tumbler) for a spirit over a large ice cube or a short cocktail.Glossary, express a broad orange peel over the drink and drop it in. The orange oils lift the grapefruit, and the drink slowly opens as the ice melts.