This cocktail was created by Aly of Seven Shed for The Bitter Truth Cocktail Competition in Bristol, UK.

Far Beyond the Truth

• 35 ml Hayman’s London Dry Gin
• 17.5 ml The Bitter Truth Apricot Brandy
• 2 dashes The Bitter Truth Celery Bitters
• 15 ml Lime Juice
• 1 dash The Bitter Truth Lemon Bitters

Glass: Martini Glass
Serve: Shake then strain
Garnish: Lemon Peel

Plasma Mary

Photo Credit: Wordsmithing Pantagruel

1½ oz horseradish-infused Bulldog London Dry Gin
2 oz tomato water
½ oz lemon juice
¼ oz “Fresh” celery syrup
1 dash The Bitter Truth Celery Bitters
1 dash The Bitter Truth Lemon Bitters

Shake and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist and cherry tomato.

For more on this cocktail including the tomato water and horseradish infusion recipes, go to Wordsmithing Pantagruel: MxMo XLVIII: Pain in the Ass – Plasma Pete and Plasma Mary.

Plasma Pete

Photo Credit: Wordsmithing Pantagruel

2 oz horseradish-infused Bulldog Gin
4 oz tomato water
2 dashes The Bitter Truth Celery Bitters
2 dashes The Bitter Truth Lemon Bitters

Shake and strain over fresh rocks. Garnish with celery stick and cherry tomato.

For more on this cocktail including the tomato water and horseradish infusion recipes, go to: Wordsmithing Pantagruel: MxMo XLVIII: Pain in the Ass – Plasma Pete and Plasma Mary.

Quince Martini

Adapted from Quince restaurant, San Francisco.

• 1 ounce chamomile-infused gin (see instructions)
• 3/4 ounce Dolin dry vermouth
• 3/4 ounce. Dolin Blanc vermouth (see Note)
• 1 to 2 dashes bergamot tincture or The Bitter Truth Lemon Bitters (see Note)
• 1 lemon peel for garnish

Instructions: Combine all ingredients, except lemon peel, in a mixing glass or metal shaker. Add ice and stir until thoroughly chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a small, chilled cocktail glass. Using a vegetable peeler, peel a lemon peel, squeeze it atop the cocktail, rub it around the glass rim and drop in.

Chamomile-Infused Gin: Place some dry chamomile flowers (be sure they are pesticide-free) in the gin and give a couple of shakes to mix it in. Let sit for 30 minutes. Strain through a fine strainer or cheesecloth.

Bergamot Tincture (Makes one cup):

• 3 to 4 bergamot oranges
• 1 cup overproof vodka or neutral grain spirit

Grate off the skin of the fruit using a Microplane or other very fine grater, removing the rind but none of the white pith. Place into a sealable jar with the vodka or spirit. Let the mixture macerate for at least… Read more

The 5th Avenue Cocktail 50ml (1½ oz) Martin Miller’s Gin 25ml (½ oz) Dolin Bianco Vermouth 1 barspoon yellow Chartreuse 1 dash Marteau Absinthe 3 dashes The Bitter Truth Lemon Bitters Lemon-twist garnish Combine gin, vermouth, Chartreuse, absinthe, and bitters in ice-filled bar glass. Stir, and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist. By Jim Romdall, Vessel, Seattle

“The Dolin Bianco Vermouth is my new favorite cocktail ingredient. I wanted to create an elegant cocktail for summertime that showcased its wonderful light flavor. I started with the base of Martin Miller’s, a soft and balanced gin. The marriage of a little yellow Chartreuse and absinthe gives the drink a little sweetness and herbal tones without disrupting the balance or adding too much medicinal flavor. The celery bitters adds complexity and depth. The lemon twist provides aromatics and also accents the lemon-bitters combination. The resulting drink is extremely crisp and clean, perfect for a classy summer cocktail. It’s called The 5th Avenue because its elegance matches that street in Seattle, where Vessel is located.”

This cocktail was created by Will Humphry of Harvey Nichols, Bristol and was the winner of The Bitter Truth Cocktail Competition in Bristol, UK.

The Bitter End

• 50 ml Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
• 15 ml Pimento Dram
• 10 ml Brown Sugar Syrup
• 10 dashes The Bitter Truth Lemon Bitters

Glass: Rocks glass with ice
Serve: Shake and double strain
Garnish: None