2016 Best Cocktails in America: Notes from Granny

Category: Gin

Restaurant: Magnolia House, Pasadena, Calif.

Creator: Brian Klemm

Inspiration: “It pays homage to Grandma Smith, a mover and shaker back in Hollywood’s glory days. Granny Smith rubbed elbows with the ‘who’s whos’ and the ‘who are yous’ of the industry. Those days are long behind her, but she can’t seem to stop spiking everyone else’s apple juice.”

Recipe:

Combine 2 dashes 'Drunken Crane' Chicory and Vanilla, .75 oz. fresh lemon juice, 2 oz. Granny Smith syrup, 1.5 oz London Dry Gin and hake vigorously for 5-7 seconds. Add a splash of soda water, strain, pour into a julep cup. Garnish with a mint bouquet, a personalized note from Granny Smith and a block of Danish bleu cheese.

Price: $13

What the Judges Said: The sweetness of the apple medley is balanced unexpectedly with bitter elements such as chicory, basil and mint, all smoothed out a little — but not too much — by the vanilla, and lifted by Granny Smith’s tartness. Top it off with a creamy chunk of blue cheese, and what could go wrong?

Recipe: 

- 2 dash 'Drunken Crane' Chicory and Vanilla
- .75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 oz Granny Smith Syrup
- 1.5 oz London Dry Gin
- Shake vigorously for 5-7 seconds
- Splash Soda Water/Strain - Julep Cup
- Garnish with Mint Bouquet, Personalized note from Granny Smith and Block of Danish Blue Cheese

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