As part of my foray into the world of cocktail making, I’m developing an unhealthy obsession with cocktail books, particularly those written by some of the industry’s greats. I’m currently working my way through Gary Regan’s The Joy of Mixology.

One of the great things about this book is the way Regan has categorised the cocktails, allowing a relative novice like me to remember the recipes as well as come up with ideas of my own (still a work in progress).
Regan includes recipes from some of the classic cocktail books as well as recent drinks that have become renowned. In spite of owning Harry Craddock’s 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book, the Maiden’s Blush hadn’t caught my eye before now.
It’s part of the Sour cocktail family and uses grenadine (pomegranate syrup) for colour as well as softening the gin slightly. Obviously, fiddle with the quantity of grenadine to suit your tastes, I erred on the side of caution and only used about 8ml and I think I’d use less next time.
If you like Aviations then I think you’ll enjoy this one too.

Ingredients for the Maiden’s Blush Cocktail
60ml gin (I used Süd Polaire)
20ml triple sec (you could use Cointreau)
15ml fresh lemon juice
grenadine to taste.
Method
Shake all the ingredients together in an ice-filled shaker. Strain into a chilled coupe. Enjoy!
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