Whitney, My Love, My Cocktail

A drink inspired my Judith McNaught’s Novel

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I wanted this cocktail to illustrate Whitney's journey through Judith McNaught's novel.

Gin sits at our base, which represents Whitney's beginnings in England and her eventual return at the behest of her father.

Creme de Violette is Whitney's blossoming in France. Its floral notes, mixed with the slight sharpness of the lemon and sweetness of the cherry liqueur come together to reflect her coming of age.

The Pernod hangs over the cocktail a note of anise on the nose. This bitter moment that makes the sweet that much sweeter and adds a quietly lingering complexity..like a memory...

To prepare a Whitney, My Love…

Stir together…

3/4 oz London Dry Gin

3/4 oz Creme de violette

3/4 oz. lemon 1/2 oz cherry liquer

Then, in your glass, pour a splash of Pernod in the glass, swirl, toss

Pour the cocktail into your serving glass.

The only thing I would insist on using the brand name on is the Cherry Liqueur. Otherwise, the drink will be too sweet and too dark. But you can use any absinthe (I chose Pernod because it is super duper French). For the gin, anything dry. Seagrams works! Just avoid botanical gins. If you can’t find Creme de Violette, it might be easier to track down Violet Liqueur.

About the author

Adam Lott is an artist and lead bartender at The Bourgeois Pig in Lawrence, Kansas.

He creates signature cocktails, conceptualizes menus, illustrates whimsical and existential pieces, and has no desire to be involved in a holocaust of emotions.

You can see more of his personal art and commission pieces on Instagram at @alottacomics and his collaborative work @manapeapeman. You can enjoy his drinks @thebourgeoispig (currently offering curbside pickup).