cheers
FIRST FROST Citizen Public House’s foray into fall flavors BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ PHOTO COURTESY OF AWE COLLECTIVE
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very year, as temperatures start to dip, the mixology team at Citizen Public House is tasked with dreaming up “authentically autumn” cocktails. “For many people, this means developing new takes on pumpkin and spice,” says Brian Goodwin, beverage director at Citizen Public House. “But this year we wanted to do something different.” Enter the First Frost ($12). It starts with 1.5 ounces of Wheelers Western Dry Gin, which is unique in that it is made with several desert botanicals beyond the usual juniper found in most gins, including sage. “Sage screams fall and really lightens up the flavor. As soon as we tasted it, we were inspired,” Goodwin says. The next component, 1 ounce of Neige Apple Ice Wine from Canada, is combined with the gin to add sweetness. “Neige leaves the apples on the tree until the absolute end of the harvest, which results in a much sweeter fruit,” says Goodwin, who balances the gin and apple ice wine with a touch of Cointreau orange liqueur and bitters. The cocktail is then stirred over large format ice that very slightly dilutes the spirits while chilling them. Once chilled, the First Frost is strained into a cocktail glass and garnished with thyme and a dehydrated orange slice. “The thyme lends an herbaceous aroma along with the citrus notes from the orange,” Goodwin says. “The apple flavor is front and center right away – giving off an essence of a hard cider without too much sweetness – and then the gin, especially the sage, hits you at the end.” Citizen Public House, 7111 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale; 480.398.4208; www.citizenpublichouse.com.
SO SCOTTSDALE! |
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| NOVEMBER 2016
10/21/16 9:58 AM