Cherry Russell
Stir, up, coupe. Discard peel after expressing.
Was challenged by a friend to make something with sour cherry. Named it for Jerry Russell, a friend and colleague who passed away recently.
- We did some customization: added some lime, substituted Lillet (since we have it). But like the sour cherry. — ★★★★
- Damson in Distress — Damson gin liqueur, Genever, Brandy, Sweet vermouth
- Mignon — Gin, Rye, Cassis, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, Orange bitters, Islay Scotch, Orange
I had just made some tart red cherry syrup and was looking for cocktail ideas when I came across the "Cherry Russell". Only thing was I was all out of Cocchi Americano, so I subbed in Dolin Dry vermouth and added 2 tiny drops of gentian extract to make up for the difference in bitterness. Works great! The sweet/tart syrup blends nicely with the cognac which together plays well off the light and herbal gin and vermouth, with those little drops of gentian bringing in an almost intangible wispper of bitterness.
Glad you liked it! Your substitution seems both appropriate and delicious in its own right... The gin/cognac combo felt a little weird "on paper," but after having some success with this drink, it's something I've been meaning to explore further.