earl grey

Last month YumSugar and I attended a cocktail competition hosted by the drinks-based social networking website, Nirvino. We were a little worried about the contest, not because we were competing, but because each of the five cocktails had to use No. 209 Gin. Normally, I'm not a fan of the strong, intensely botanical flavor of gin, however the concoctions created by San Francisco's bartending elite were surprisingly well-balanced and drinkable. The winning drink, The Grey Lady, created by Greg Lindgren, the owner of one of my watering holes, Rye, was particularly memorable. A mixture of gin, fresh lemon juice, and Earl Grey syrup, this drink is innovative (who would think to use breakfast tea in a cocktail?), light, airy, smooth, and delicious. Although one of the ingredients, bergamot, is incredibly hard to find, the tipple can be enjoyed without it. To watch a video of Greg making the concoction at the party and check out the recipe, read more