The Gin Marigold - A Flaweless Fall Cocktail
My favorite bartender taught me that you can make most every cocktail taste “balanced” by following the formula: 1.5 , 3/4, 3/4. For example, an amazing margarita is 1.5 oz tequila, 3/4 oz fresh lime, 3/4 oz agave syrup (50/50 water/agave nectar). Shake like mad and pour over fresh ice. I promise it will be the best margarita you’ve ever had. Watch us make it live together here!
For my gin marigold, I followed the same formula as the base of this cocktail, but I added another level of flavor by first infusing the gin with dried marigold flowers; also known as calendula tea. You’re probably not thinking about health benefits when drinking cocktails, but I’ll still share that marigolds are said to be great for your skin and even a remedy for a sore throat when gargled! Now that’s Flaweless!!!
I created this cocktail for an incredible event; the Grand Opening of Kindbody’s NYC Flagship Clinic. Their brand color is yellow so I wanted the cocktail to be yellow too. Here you can see what it looks like to infuse gin for 200 people!
Gin Marigold Cocktail
INGREDIENTS
1 Liter bottle of Gin, London Dry style
3 Tablespoons dried marigold flowers, a.k.a. calendula tea leaves
2 3/4 cups Saint Germain, elderflower liquor
2 3/4 cups Lemonade
Dry Sparkling Wine like Brut Champagne, Cava or Prosecco; 1 ounce per cocktail
Rosemary sprig and lemon wheel, for garnish
METHOD - to infuse
In a large pitcher combine gin and marigold leaves. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours.
Strain leaves from gin. Discard leaves; reserve gin.
METHOD - to batch 22 cocktails
In a large beverage dispenser, combine gin, St. Germain and lemonade.
Fill a cocktail shaker 2/3rds full of ice.
Pour 3 ounces of batch over the ice, close the shaker and shake vigorously until the outside of your shaker is frosty; about 30 seconds.
Fill a highball or Collins glass with fresh ice.
Strain shaken mixture into the glass.
Top with 1 ounce of sparkling wine and, using a long bar spoon, gently “pull” the base of the cocktail up through the bubbles.
Garnish with a lemon wheel “skewered” by a sprig of rosemary.
Happy Opening, Kindbody Flagship!
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