Valentine’s Day is less than a month away, but don’t worry because St-Germain has you covered. Made from handpicked elderflowers native to France, it makes an elegant addition whether you’re planning a romantic dinner for two or partying with friends. Its subtle flavor allows it to pair easily with complementary spirits. A classic celebratory pairing combines St-Germain with Champagne, but bartenders in Boston are using it with more than just bubbly. Vodka, gin, rye, rum, tequila and bourbon all play well with St-Germain. See Eater’s map of where to find St-Germain in and out of the bottle. À votre santé!
Joy Richard is the bar and beverage manager for the Franklin Restaurant Group, which includes Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar. She came up with the Ideal Manhattan a year and a half ago, and it has since been named the city's best classic cocktail of 2011 by Boston Magazine. The inspiration for this St-Germain cocktail was actually St-Germain. "I was doing a play on a Perfect Manhattan and then I brought in the grapefruit bitters to highlight the grapefruit notes in St-Germain," she says. Her creation combines St-Germain with bourbon, vermouth, both aromatic and grapefruit bitters and arrives decorated with a grapefruit peel.
Build in a glass filled with ice, stir, strain and serve in a straight up cocktail glass with a grapefruit peel garnish.
1 1/2 oz small batch bourbon whiskey
3/4 oz St-Germain
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
3 dashes aromatic bitters
2 dashes grapefruit bitters
