by Shane Ely
I created this cocktail for The Bartender Smackdown competition in Vancouver hosted by Sovereign Wine and Spirits. At the time of this competition I was (and still am) very into Negronis. I wanted to give them a refreshing twist with summer coming up so I came up with this cocktail. The name the “Empire’s New Groove” is is a play off of one of my favourite Disney movies “The Emperor’s New Groove” and the fact that the cocktails has elements from the British Empire. It uses Ford’s (British Gin) Maidenii (Australian Vermouth) and was created by Shane Ely (Canadian bartender), thus using something from the three pillars of the British Empire.
1.5 oz Ford’s Gin
1 oz Maidenii Vermouth
0.75 oz Lemon Juice
0.25 oz 1:1 Honey Syrup
1 dash Scrappy’s Grapefruit Bitters
1 dash Degroff’s Pimento Bitters
0.25 oz Campari
1 oz Soda Water
Grapefruit Zest
Method:
1. Combine all ingredients except for soda and Campari in a shaker
2. Add ice and shake gently so as not to bruise the botanicals
3. Double strain into coupette
4. Add soda water
5. Pour Campari over back of bar spoon into coupette
6. Garnish with large grapefruit spiral