America Village Apothecary is a company based out of Connemara, Co. Galway after being set up by Claire Davey in 2015. Making syrups, tinctures, and bitters, she takes locally foraged ingredients and develops them into vibrant, unusual, and unique products for use in cocktails and in cooking. Having won many plaudits for her products she was most recently named as “Drink of the Year” in the John and Sally McKenna Guides for 2016. She released her first Aromatic Bitters this year and given my keenness for bitters in cocktails I was both excited and intrigued to try it. Heavy on clove and yet beautifully balanced with flavours of citrus, anise, and cinnamon, this bitters is a fantastic aromatic blend that will add depth of flavour to any cocktail. Check out more about Claire and her products on her website here.
America Village Apothecary
A Cabaret cocktail is a slight but interesting deviation from a classic gin martini. Having spoken about Benedictine before you’ll know that this is a liqueur of a secret blend of herbs and spices and adds a unique sweet element to slightly offset the dryness of both the gin and the vermouth. The bitters then acts as a confident counterbalance, pulling in the saccharin reigns of the Benedictine to deliver a cocktail that is both sophisticated and balanced. The slight pinch of salt I feel draws out the flavours further, producing a mild caramel note from the Benedictine. If this is still a little sweet for your tastes, try adding a ¼ oz. Benedictine instead.
Clockwise from left: Gin, Dry Vermouth, Benedictine, AVA Aromatic Bitters
Ingredients
Method
Garnish with a maraschino cherry
A sophisticated and balanced cocktail
Cathal - 37 - Galway - Food and Drink Writer | Wine Columnist Business Post | Cook | Recipe Creator | Restaurant Reviewer | Wine and Cocktails Lover | Food Education Enthusiast |
