Gin Blossom Cocktail

The Gin Blossom cocktail is a refined blend of gin, bianco vermouth, apricot eau de vie, and orange bitters. This cocktail is more than a mixture of ingredients, it’s the NY Clover Club’s house Martini, expertly balanced to offer a unique drinking experience. Crafted by Julie Reiner for the opening menu of her Clover Club bar in Brooklyn, New York City, in 2009. When Julie Reiner, one of NY’s notable influential bar owners, created the Gin Blossom for her Clover Club bar, she was setting a benchmark for creativity and excellence in cocktail crafting. The Clover Club cocktail bar, named after a pre-Prohibition era cocktail, has been instrumental in reviving and celebrating historical cocktails with modern twists. Reiner’s creation was not just a nod to tradition but also an innovative exploration of flavor profiles, aiming to captivate and educate her patrons about the possibilities within the realm of mixology.

The Ingredients

The Gin Blossom is a testament to the power of combining classic elements with a touch of innovation. Each component is selected for its ability to contribute to the unique overall taste of the drink.

Gin: The backbone of the cocktail, gin is renowned for its complex botanical notes, typically featuring juniper as the dominant flavor, accompanied by flavors of other botanicals that can include coriander, citrus peels, and spices. This creates a piney and floral base for the Gin Blossom, providing depth and character.

Bianco Vermouth: Bianco vermouth adds a faint herbal sweetness, bridging the gap between the robust gin and the delicate apricot eau de vie. Its subtle herbal qualities complement the botanicals in gin, enhancing the cocktail’s complexity without overpowering the other ingredients.

Apricot Eau de Vie: At the heart of the Gin Blossom lies apricot eau de vie, a clear, colorless fruit brandy that captures the essence of ripe apricots. This distillate is known for its intense fruitiness and subtle almond-like undertones, derived from the apricot kernels. The production of eau de vie involves fermenting the fruit, and then distilling it to achieve a high-proof spirit that is both potent and fragrant, embodying the pure flavor of the fruit without added sugars or artificial flavors.

Orange Bitters: 2 dashes of orange bitters add a citrusy zing, enhancing the cocktail’s aromatic profile. Bitters are made by infusing alcohol with botanicals, and orange bitters specifically leverage the bitter, sweet, and tangy qualities of orange peel. This addition subtly underscores the apricot’s fruity notes while providing a counterpoint to the sweetness of the vermouth and the gin’s floral botanicals.

Tasting Notes

The Gin Blossom cocktail is a refined blend of aromatic, sweet, and herbal notes. The apricot eau de vie is the star, offering a fragrant bouquet that perfectly complements the piney and floral undertones of the gin. The vermouth rounds out the drink with its herbal sweetness, adding complexity and depth without overshadowing the delicate apricot flavors. Orange bitters bring a bright, citrusy finish, tying all the elements together and providing a refreshing aftertaste.

Why the Gin Blossom Stands Out?

What sets the Gin Blossom apart is its exquisite balance and the way it showcases the apricot eau de vie. This ingredient, often overlooked in the cocktail scene, brings a unique dimension to the drink. Its ability to meld with the gin’s botanicals while standing strong with its distinct apricot flavor is a testament to Reiner’s skill in recipe creation.

Gin Blossom Recipe

1. 45 ml gin

2. 45 ml bianco vermouth 

3. 22.5 ml apricot eau de vie

4. 2 dashes orange bitters

5. Ice

6. Garnish: orange twist