I've been galavanting hither and yon for the last three weeks, putting nearly 3000 miles on my car's odometer. At an average speed of, say, 60 miles an hour, that's about 50 hours of sitting in a car. There were, on this trip, many additional hours spent sitting while writing (yay! progress) and watching the Tour de France. To that sedentary experience, add many sumptuous meals with friends and family, and my perhaps-should-be-patented moveable cocktail feast. I took a rather full bar of booze with me so I could mix up craft cocktails for my loved ones visited on the way. They were happy about this, as you can imagine.
All of this has resulted in a girl who is way off of her fitness game. I realized upon coming home that I needed a workout and - of course! -a cocktail that would revive me.
First, the workout.
To start getting back into shape, I did a 75 minute bike ride yesterday, but it was a mostly humbling and somewhat discouraging experience. I came back the opposite of revived.
This morning, I tried a different option. I took a class at the Bloomington Body Bar, founded and owned by Suzy Yeagley, for whom today's drink is named. I take a class at the Body Bar almost daily when I'm in town in order that I can remain fit enough to mix and drink a cocktail each evening. One must have priorities.
This morning, for my first class after this driving/imbibing extravaganza, I took willPower & grace taught by Suzy. willPower & grace is one of many kinds of classes at the Body Bar. Go to their website right now and sign up for one. You're welcome.
Though willPower & grace is a very challenging workout, especially for the "recently un-fit", it is, under the capable guidance of Suzy, an exhilarating and inspirational hour. Sure, I was a little sore and tired afterward, but I was encouraged that my body was on its way to being back in shape. I was, after a hard workout, not discouraged or exhausted. I was revived!
So, in honor of that revival, today's drink is named for Suzy. Why Nice and Strong? Because when she cues us to plank in her classes, Suzy always says "nice and strong" when she describes what to do. And, believe it or not, this brief phrase actually makes me stronger. Who knew? In addition, the drink and Suzy share some characteristics. Both are good looking and elegant. Both are strong, but not harsh. Both have very good balance. And, neither is very common. You can't find a drink or instructor/businesswoman/coach of this quality just anywhere.
So here's the drink. The recipe is adapted from The Savoy Cocktail Book, a classic tome written in the 1930s by Harry Craddock. There are at least three Corpse Revivers. I've only had the 2nd. It is, quite possibly, one of the most perfect cocktails I've ever made or consumed. Seriously. It is well balanced, smooth but still has the edge I love, and is boozy without being harsh.
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| The perfect cocktail made more so by a house-made Brandied Cherry. |
This cocktail is easy to make and you should definitely make one. Unless you are a cocktail person, you aren't likely to have absinthe or Lillet Blanc. I do think it is worth adding both to your collection, if only just to make this one perfect libation. Justify the purchase by knowing that both are are used in many other delicious cocktails that you will enjoy. You will see that this recipe calls only for a "dash" of absinthe. You might be tempted to skip it. Very no. Do not do this. That dash is critical.'
Without further delay, here is the recipe.
The Suzy Yeagley Nice and Strong Cocktail
aka
The Corpse Reviver 2
1 ounce gin
1 ounce Lillet Blanc
1 ounce Contreau (or other triple sec but make sure it is GOOD, not some bottom shelf junk)
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 dash (I estimate about 1/8 ounce) absinthe
Orange peel or really good cherry for garnish
Shake all ingredients together in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail/martini glass. Garnish. Enjoy. Resist mixing up a second. It'll be hard, believe me.
Cheers!
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