gemini’s Libertine - unrestrained use of vinegar in a cocktail

you know the saying, you’ll catch more flies with honey than vinegar? well, gemini will catch more flies than anyone regardless of whether she’s got honey or vinegar. speaking of vinegar, it’s produced from the fermentation of ethanol. ethanol, like alcohol itself, is ruled by mercury and belongs to gemini (drunk slut extraordinaire). in fact, she could have vinegar, and the rest of us could have honey, and she’d still catch more flies. not only could could she sell snow to an eskimo, she could charm the pants off your boyfriend, and make you like it too. she’s convincing to say the least. and by the time you realize you’ve just bought a jar full of flies, she’s happily skipped town – likely sipping cocktails on a yacht in the italian riviera. and then of course, you have what is known as the law of averages. this frenetic twin will simply get to more places and see more people than all the other signs combined. but really, who wants all those flies anyway? gemini girl, you can have em… just gimme the boyfriend back!
LIBERTINE
2 oz freshly juiced pear nectar
2 oz sake
1/2 oz balsamic syrup
2 drops bitters
Garnish: Pear slice***to make balsamic syrup: Simmer 2 cups sugar, 1 cup water, 1 cup balsamic vinegar for twenty minutes. pour into final storage container, adding approx. 1 oz vodka to aid in preservation.
Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with pear slice. (Cocktail by Gwen Sutherland Kaiser, Photo by Mary Claire Miraldi)
this recipe for BALSAMIC SYRUP was inspired by the amazing book, THE ART OF THE BAR, by jeff hollinger & rob schwartz. it’s another MUST have.



















