This cocktail crafted by Daniel James Lis, restaurant director at GIA, is worth the effort—layered, seasonal, and far from ordinary.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 fl oz GIA Distillery Turntable Brandy
- 1/2 fl oz lemon juice
- 1/2 fl oz lime juice
- 1/4 fl oz cherry herring
- 1/2 f oz Rainier cherry brandy syrup
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp cherry liqueur
- 1 tbsp brandy
- ½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise
- 1/4 fluid ounces cinnamon-infused riesling and demerara reduction
- ½ cup demerara sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup Riesling
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Sage smoke and/or brandied Rainier cherry (optional)
For the GIA Distillery Turntable Brandy: Purchase or inquire about GIA Distillery Turntable Brandy at your local ABC store or purchase at the GIA Distillery (203 E Murphy Street, Madison, NC, on Fridays from 2-8 p.m. or Saturdays from 12-8 p.m.).
For the Rainier cherry brandy syrup: Split vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out seeds. Add seeds and pod to a small saucepan along with sugar and water. Stir until sugar fully dissolves over medium heat. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in cherry liqueur and brandy. Allow to cool completely and remove vanilla pod. Pour into a clean glass jar and add Rainier cherries to soak. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
For the riesling and demerara reduction: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves over medium heat. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in riesling. Allow to cool completely.
Step one: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
Step two: Shake hard with ice for 8 seconds.
Step three: Strain into a fine martini or coupe glass and garnish with sage and a brandied Rainier cherry.
For more than 12 years, GIA has proudly been a part of the Greensboro community, dedicated to creating memorable experiences through passionate hospitality. The heartbeat of GIA is their beverage program, featuring an exceptional collection of bourbons, wines and spirits, and designer cocktails.