Have you ever ever heard of a French Blond cocktail? Me neither, till final week! I learn that it’s Taylor Swift’s favourite cocktail after she lately requested it at an area Kansas Metropolis restaurant known as Rye. As soon as I noticed the components—grapefruit, gin, Lillet and elderflower, I knew I needed to attempt it. It’s improbable. The cocktail is well-balanced, citrusy and floral, not too sturdy and never too candy.
I’m usually utterly oblivious to each popular culture and soccer, to the purpose that when my husband got here residence from a charity occasion final 12 months and informed me he was on a workforce with Travis Kelce, I mentioned, “Who’s that?” However the funniest factor has occurred now that Taylor is courting Travis. Out of the blue, I’m fascinated by a pair I’ve by no means met, I’m listening to soccer, and I’m questioning, who am I? Am I a Swiftie now?
Perhaps it’s the sheer proximity of all of it, like I’ve been to Rye, the place Taylor Swift supposedly ordered this cocktail! My pal’s mother noticed Travis on the Apple Retailer the opposite day! My husband mentioned that Travis was pleasant and nice with youngsters, and the one rumor I’ve heard about Taylor is that she is certainly very good. Perhaps it’s as a result of they appear like an important match, in order that they remind me of when my husband and I began courting.
Perhaps it’s as a result of I, like all of Taylor’s followers, think about that perhaps we might be pals if we met in actual life. How loopy is that? Taylor, we’ve got chilly Lillet within the fridge should you guys need to come by for a cocktail. Now I’ve actually misplaced my thoughts. Anyway, go Chiefs!
French Blond Cocktail Elements
I regarded by all of my cocktail books and couldn’t discover the French Blond recipe in any of them. The small print are obscure, however my understanding is that this obscure drink does certainly hail from France. It’s been round because the Twenties (maybe). In case you love a French 75 or shiny citrus and gin drinks like a Tom Collins, you need to do that one.
Right here’s what it is advisable to make a improbable French Blond cocktail (and what you don’t). I’ve tried it with varied proportions, and also you’ll discover my favourite model within the recipe on the backside of the put up.
Lillet Blanc
Lillet, pronounced lee-LAY, is a French aperitif wine fortified with a mix of citrus liqueurs. Lillet Blanc, the unique selection, is made with a mix of white Bordeaux grapes. Its taste is troublesome to explain, however accommodates notes of flowers, candied oranges, honey, pine resin & unique fruits.
Tip: As soon as opened, you have to retailer Lillet within the fridge (similar for vermouths, as they’re all wines). Lillet will maintain for as much as one month. Let me let you know, I by accident left Lillet open on the counter for just a few days, and it ruined my subsequent French Blond! Leftover Lillet makes a pleasant spritz with membership soda and a squeeze of citrus.
Grapefruit Juice
Freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice usually yields the most effective taste. You may usually squeeze sufficient juice from one massive grapefruit for 2 of those cocktails. Grapefruit is in season through the winter, so there are some enjoyable varieties obtainable now. I attempted a number of, and the MeloGold (label 3152) is improbable, with a aromatic floral observe that pairs superbly with the gin and elderflower.
French Redhead Cocktail Variation: Make your cocktail with Ruby Crimson grapefruit or one other crimson grapefruit, and also you’ll find yourself with a lovely pink drink known as the French Redhead! I cherished this feature as properly.
Gin
Hendrick’s gin is fantastic right here. Hendrick’s botanical gin has notes of cucumber and rose, which mix properly with our different components. You can additionally use a dry London-style gin (I attempted Kansas Metropolis’s Rieger model), however the gin taste is a bit more current and a bit harsh.
St-Germain
St-Germain is a stunning elderflower liqueur. It’s candy, so a little bit goes a great distance. I don’t maintain lots of liqueurs round, however St-Germain is totally definitely worth the shelf area and appears stunning, too. You may as well get pleasure from St-Germain in your French 75s in lieu of plain easy syrup.
Lemon Juice and Peel
Most French Blond cocktail recipes name for lemon bitters, however contemporary lemon juice is a lot better. Imagine me, I attempted three totally different sorts of bitters, and even one drop dominates the flavour and crushes the refined botanical notes that make this drink so particular.
You’ll additionally want a twist of contemporary lemon peel, which gives a great deal of lemon taste. The trick is to twist the peel over the cocktail to launch the citrus oil straight into the drink, then run it alongside the rim of the glass for lemon aroma in each sip.
Extra Gin Recipes to Attempt
These pleasant gin cocktails are equally citrusy and refreshing.
Please let me know the way your cocktail seems within the feedback! I really like listening to from you.
French Blond Cocktail
- Writer:
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Whole Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Class: Cocktail
- Technique: Shaken
- Delicacies: French
- Weight-reduction plan: Gluten Free
The French Blond is made with grapefruit, gin, Lillet and St-Germain. Rumored to be Taylor Swift’s favourite cocktail, it’s citrusy and floral. Recipe yields 1 cocktail; you possibly can double the components and shake 2 without delay in a big cocktail shaker.
Scale
Elements
- 2 ounces Lillet Blanc
- 2 ounces grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce gin (Hendrick’s advisable)
- ½ ounce St-Germain (elderflower liqueur)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 strip of lemon peel
Directions
- Chill your coupe glass by filling it to the brim with ice and water. Set your glass apart.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour within the Lillet, grapefruit juice, gin, St-Germain and lemon juice. Securely fasten the lid and shake the combination for about 20 seconds, or till the skin of the shaker is totally ice chilly.
- Discard the ice water in your glass and gently shake out any cussed water droplets. Pressure the combination into your ready glass. Gently twist the lemon peel over the drink to launch the oils, then flippantly draw it over the rim of the glass earlier than dropping it in. Get pleasure from.
Notes
Recipe roughly tailored from Saveur.
Did you make this recipe?
