The history of the French Pearl, a cocktail that transports you to Provence
The French Pearl is a cocktail that transports you to Provence, with its aniseed and herbaceous flavours that evoke the lavender fields and hilltop villages of the region. But where does this delicious cocktail come from?
The origins of the French Pearl
The French Pearl was created by Audrey Saunders in 2006 at the Pegu Club in New York. The drink was created as a tribute to the French architectural style of the late 1800s. At that time, it was fashionable to sip an aniseed-flavoured liqueur called absinthe. Inspired by the fine pearls that were highly prized at the time, the French Pearl cocktail embodies the very essence of luxury and prestige.
It’s a cocktail that’s both simple and easy, but also the most sophisticated version you can make with ordinary ingredients. It’s reminiscent of sun-drenched gardens, the light shade of plane trees and the breeze blowing through the air on a warm summer evening. It’s just the thing to drink at this time of year.
The ingredients
To make a delicious French Pearl Cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
* 1,5 cl Anista Pastis
* 4 cl Mistello gin
* 1 cl fresh lemon juice
* 1/2 cl cane sugar syrup
* Ice cubes
* Basil or mint leaves for the finishing touch (optional)
Recipe
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
2. Add the Anista Pastis, Mistello Gin, lemon juice and cane sugar syrup.
3. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to mix the flavours and chill the drink.
4. Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass and garnish with delicate basil or mint leaves.
Basil has a fresh, herbaceous fragrance that subtly enhances the flavours of the gin and lemon, creating an unforgettable taste experience.
The classic mint variety used in French Pearl is spearmint. This herb has a light, bright sweetness that softens and enhances the cocktail while balancing drinks on the sweeter side of the spectrum.
The French Pearl Cocktail perfectly embodies the art of French mixology, combining tradition and innovation to offer a unique taste experience.
* Pastis Anista is a key ingredient in the French Pearl, and it’s important to choose a high quality Pastis to get the best flavour.
* Choose a good gin, such as Mistello Gin. Using an excellent spirit as the base for your drink allows the ingredients you’re layering to flourish and create a wonderful taste experience.
* Squeeze a fresh lemon. Fresh lime juice adds a green, sparkling note to this drink. Of course, you can use store-bought juice, but if you can afford it, squeeze it!
* Pair it with tasty dishes. Zesty, refreshing cocktails like the French Pearl go well with appetisers like prawns or nuts like salted almonds and pistachios.
* The French Pearl was created as a summer cocktail, but it’s so delicious that it’s become a mixology classic that you can serve it all year round.
With its simple recipe and high-quality ingredients, it’s easy to create this delicious cocktail at home. So why not give the French Pearl a try?
