Gigi Recipe
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Jackie Patterson, former mixologist at Le Colonial in San Francisco, and creator of this coquettish cocktail, combines three French liquors for a drink that’s deceptively stiff. Floating the champagne allows it to stay separated from the heavier ingredients below, resulting in a soft blush reminiscent of the skin of an Anjou pear.
What to buy: St-Germain is an elderflower liqueur that has won over bartenders. It can be found at high-end liquor stores and online.
Grey Goose La Poire is a light, smooth vodka infused with Anjou pears; it’s also available at high-end liquor stores and online.
Game plan: To float liquid in a cocktail, place the tip of a spoon perpendicular to the inside edge of the glass, turn the curve of the spoon toward the ceiling, and slightly angle the spoon downward. Slowly pour the liquid to be floated down the spoon toward the inside of the glass and, so long as the liquid is less dense than the other liquids in the glass, it will... read more
- 2 parts Lillet Blanc
- 1 1/2 parts St-Germain elderflower liqueur
- 1 part Grey Goose La Poire vodka
- Ice
- 1 part brut rosé champagne
- 1 pear slice, for garnish (optional)
- Combine Lillet, St-Germain, and vodka in a cocktail shaker and top with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Carefully float champagne on top of Lillet mixture. Garnish with pear slice and serve.
chubbybunny, check out the link in our sparkling wine glass "Wanted" column for where to purchase: http://www.chow.com/stories/10824
Where did you get that glass?
L.C., Yes, you want to pour the champagne over the back of the spoon.
its a little unclear from the instructions - is it convex side of the spoon up when floating?
- I agree about the chemically taste of flavored vodka.
- It is often made by adding labratory produced flavor compounds.
- Use plain vodka and add pear juice for better effect.
- You will have a cloudy drink, but it will taste like nature intended.
- Chin-chin.
In trying this recipe, we didn't like the fake pear taste of the Grey Goose flavored vodka so substituted with pear eau-de-vie.