Ingredients
- 45ml Monkey 47
- 45ml medium-dry Riesling
- 2 dashes of orange bitters
- Lemon zest to garnish
- Pinch of cinnamon to garnish
About
Famous 19th-century German musician Jean-Paul-Égide Martini, who temporarily took on the codename Schwarzendorff to avoid paying off his student debts, is clearly the inspiration behind this cheeky Monkey 47 libation.
You may not have heard of this famed Bavarian classical musician, but his romantic composition ‘Plaisir d’amour’ inspired the 1961 Elvis pop song ‘Can’t Help Stop Falling in Love’. Bet you didn’t know that.
Now that’s enough about Schwarzendorff, our boozy little friend here is a neat twist on the classic martini, perhaps even something to tease non-martini drinkers onto the gin-based aperitif, since it packs less of an alcoholic punch.
Germany’s floral, some would say almost perfumed, Riesling compliments the orchestra of botanicals brought to this drink by Monkey 47 with a pedal note of acidity and freshness.
The cocktail is a simple one to make, taking up little time in terms of prep and doesn’t require a high skill level, so you can easily make this one at home.
Just think how impressed your gin-loving friends will be at the sight of this clever drink, when you serve it up as a dinner party drink. Ensure you have the right garnish and glassware for the drink, otherwise you might find the effect isn’t quite the same.
Monkey 47, which is the base spirit of the Schwarzendorff Martini, is a curiously clever gin from the Black Forest, which plays out a perfect composition of 47 botanicals – nothing short of a tricky feat.
It is bottled at 47% ABV (a little bit of brand consistency there) and features, among other botanicals, ginger, clove, cranberry, elderflower and blackberry.
Method
Fill a mixing glass with ice
Pour in all of the wet ingredients
Stir until chilled and the desired dilution achieved
Single strain into a chilled coupette glass
Garnish with a twist of lemon zest
Add a small pinch of cinnamon
