Norma Jean

2 oz Gin

1⁄2 oz Cynar

3⁄4 oz Lemon juice

1⁄2 oz Simple syrup

6 lf Mint

1 spg Mint (as garnish)

Instructions

Shake, double strain, crushed ice, low-ball garnish

Notes

Surprisingly, the overall impression is bitter grapefruit. Lovely.

Cocktail summary

Created by

Vincenzo Marianella, Copa d’Oro, Santa Monica, CA

Year

2009

Is of

unknown authenticity

Reference

http://sloshed.hyperkinetic.org/2009/05/18/the-norma-jean/

Curator

Not yet rated

Average

4 stars

(38 ratings)

Cocktail Book

From other users

Top drink. Crushed ice helps. Second sip is where it's at. I was thinking 3/4 cynar would help this, then saw it in the comments. Do it next time. There is a little bit of a grapefruit taste, but better—more complex.
One of my favorite summer drinks.
1/4/20: Great drink, made with 2 tsp 2:1 simple. Will definitely make this in the summer.
Earlier comments nail it: bitter grapefruit, interesting yet accessible. — ★★★★★
A daiquiri substitute, and extraordinarily so. Refreshingly tart, but not puckeringly so. Very versatile: I can see having two of these at the Club in the evening, or by the backyard pool in mid-afternoon on a Saturday. Has
Light and surprising accessible. Good drink for those new to gin and/or amari. — ★★★★★

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Comments

I have to say that this is a wonderful cocktail. It is plenty interesting, even for the jaded Fernet-chugging cocktail geek. Yet it's fairly accessible for those just getting starting to explore amaro-based cocktails. I bumped up the Cynar to 3/4oz and backed the simple down to 3/8oz, which was a nice balance for my taste. Where the bitter grapefruit flavor comes from, I do not know.

I used 3/4 oz cynar as that finished the bottle, and I was also generous with the mint. A little less simple and citrus next time, and I'll keep the extra cynar. I'm revisiting recipes I saved years ago and deleting anything I don't love from my cocktail library; this one stays.