A very close friend asked if I would help create a special cocktail for her 25th college reunion… It needed to be somewhat thematic, or at least… green.

Well, when one scans the horizon for the available choices in green spirits, one does not exactly find a panoply of stars… Let’s see… Green Chartreuse… Crème de Menthe, Apple Pucker and Midori… Sure there are probably a few more, but isn’t the current list bad enough? Excepting Green Chartreuse, or course…

Everyone who knows me, knows that I love a challenge, so we settled down with a bottle of each of the aforementioned lovelies, the balance of my well-stocked bar and a long Sunday afternoon… The results were surprisingly positive…

In the area of Green Chartreuse, I could find nothing that created a suitably green drink that was actually palatable. Most turned out a dull ocher or median rust color… far from the requisite green.

With the Apple Pucker, we turned out a respectable “Apple-tini” that was refreshing and quite nice:

ApplePucker

The Mel

1-1/2oz. Vodka

1oz. Apple Pucker

1/2oz. Apple Jack (I prefer Laird’s)

5 dashes Baked Apple Bitters

Combine the ingredients in a shaker with crushed ice, shake vigorously to chill and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an apple peel.

 

With the Midori, we turned out a respectable tropical-influenced riff on a Daiquiri/Sidecar:

Midori

The 88

1-1/2oz. Vodka

1oz. Midori

1/2oz. Cointreau

5 dashes Spanish Bitters

Combine the ingredients in a shaker with crushed ice, shake vigorously to chill and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon or lime peel.

 

With the Crème de Menthe, we turned out a (shockingly) respectable homage to mint parfait:

CremedeMenthe

The Dimple

1-1/2oz. Vodka

1oz. Crème de Menthe (green)

1/2oz. Lillet Blanc

5 dashes Mint Bitters

Combine the ingredients in a shaker with crushed ice, shake vigorously to chill and strain into a cocktail glass.

 

So, in the final analysis, we found three very good uses for a few spirits that have usually found their way to the way back of the bar… I can’t wait until St. Patty’s Day!!

Cheers!