New Year's is upon us, already, and it's time to pop champagne. If you're like me and the beverage gives you massive hangovers, though, you might want to indulge moderately, or even abstain.
But to help you celebrate with a bit of bubbly and 50 percent less hangovers (I can't back this up), I have something tasty for you. The cocktail, inspired by the classic French 75, is called Out with the Old.
When I discovered Ybor City's Cigar City Cider and Mead collaborated with a meadery in my hometown of Akron, Ohio, I had to check it out. The depth of flavor in their Criminal KLP, a wildflower mead infused with lime, graham and pecan, is unlike any mead I've had, and it pours like champagne.
I found the mead, perfectly drinkable on its own, at Jug & Bottle Dept. in Seminole Heights. Bottles might be on hand at larger liquor stores (or Cigar City Cider and Mead itself), but if not, you could ask the CCCM crew about a suitable substitute.
One more thing: the splash of tonic in this week's drink is important. It adds that effervescence in place of champagne.
Out with the Old Cocktail
Makes 1
2 ounces gin
4 ounces mead
1.5 ounces fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 ounce tonic water
Fill a large cocktail shaker with ice. Add gin, mead and lemon juice, then stir well to get a good chill. Fill a Collins glass with ice and strain drink into glass. Top with tonic and garnish with a lemon peel.
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