"Rosemary '68" cocktail (A.Glass 2023)

 

For the infusion mix:

• Two sprigs of fresh Rosemary
• Tablespoon of Honey
• 1/2 ounce of water.

In a small saucepan, add the water, honey and Rosemary sprigs.  On a low heat, ensure that the Rosemary, Honey and water are cooked very gently.  So that the Rosemary wilts and softens in the Honey Water.  Leave to cool for an hour, then remove the Rosemary.  Pour into an espresso cup.  

To build the cocktail:

• Ice
• Dark Rum
• Rosemary infusion
• Vanilla Essence (best quality)
• Ginger Ale 

Alcohol base:   

• 1 ounce of quality mid tier Dark Rum

Garnish:

• Rosemary sprig

Preparation:

Add ice to either a Cosmopolitan glass or Highball glass, in this case I used a Cosmopolitan glass.  Pour in the 1 Ounce of Rum, followed 1/2 Ounce of the Rosemary Honey Water infusion, add 1 drop of Vanilla Essence.  Gently stir.  Top up with Ginger ale.  Then add a single Rosemary sprig for garnish. 

Background:

This cocktail is my homage to the 1967 Ira Levin's novel "Rosemary's Baby" and of course the 1968 film, based on the novel, Rosemary's Baby by Roman Polanski .  Rosemary is a spiritual herb used in many Christian and Western esoteric beliefs, as is honey in both Judaic and Christian old testament rituals.  The vanilla essence and Ginger ale give the cocktail a slightly spicy and subtle tweak to the overall sweetness.  With the Rum base being the conjuring element.   The story, if you are unaware, is about the son of the devil being born from a woman called 'Rosemary'.  Polanski's adaptation is true to the book with its commentary of the countercultures of the 1960's.  And the story concludes in Rosemary's initial rejection of the baby when it is born, she then submits to her own maternal instincts of protection. 

This is a celebratory cocktail.    

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(A.Glass 2023)