Josephine Bonaparte: A Martini Riff
The Occasion: The 220th Anniversary of Napoleon & Josephine’s Installation as Emperor & Empress of France
While we don’t always think it’s necessary to need a special event to make a cocktail, sometimes it’s fun to make an occasion out of cocktail hour.
On December 2nd, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France, and his wife Josephine was crowned Empress. To commemorate this historic event, we’ve crafted a regal cocktail that pays homage to his beloved wife and gives you yet another occasion to celebrate “just because” and make a cocktail to enjoy with friends and family.
The Cocktail: Josephine Bonaparte
➡️2.0 oz (60 ml) Gin (preferably French, such as Citadelle)
➡️1.0 oz (30 ml) Dry French White Wine (a Sancerre works well)
➡️1 dash Citrus Bitters
➡️1 dash Lavender Bitters
➡️Garnish: A lemon peel, with the oils expressed across the top of the drink, then dropped into the glass
➡️Glass: A stemmed cocktail glass
➡️Preparation:
- Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir over ice until well-chilled.
- Strain into a chilled stemmed glass, and garnish.
➡️Advice & Tips: Feel free to experiment with the kind of wine and style of gin you use to produce different flavors. Be careful with the lavender bitters and don’t add more than one dash, or you’ll overpower the drink.
The Story: Why This Cocktail?
The Josephine Bonaparte is a sophisticated and elegant cocktail that captures the essence of the Napoleonic era. The dry French white wine adds a delicate floral note, while the citrus and lavender bitters add a subtle complexity. The gin provides a bold and refreshing backbone, making this stirred and strong cocktail a perfect choice for any special occasion and a lovely alternative to a standard Martini.
Raise a glass to history and indulge in the royal flavor of the Josephine Bonaparte!