Such an auspicious occasion cries out for a dignified oh-so-English tipple. When I think of British beverages, two leap to mind. Early Grey tea...my breakfast cup most mornings. (Two lumps and milk, please.) And gin. But none of that cucumber-infused boutique stuff. Dry London gin. My favorite is Bombay Sapphire...there's a picture of Queen Victoria on the label. Can't be much more authentic than that.
This cocktail, inspired by several I found online, combines the two. Serve it in your best cocktail class-a 1920's style coupe if you have it. After a couple of these, you'll be throwing off bon mots that would make the Dowager Countess envious.
Earl Grey Gin Cocktail
Makes one cocktail.
In saucepan, heat 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and add two Early Grey tea bags. Or even better, 1 tablespoon of loose Earl Grey tea in a tea ball. Let cool completely and strain into a small jar or bottle. This is the Earl Grey simple syrup the recipe calls for.
2 ounces London dry gin
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 ounce Earl Grey simple syrup
Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker. Shake until well-combined and the outside of the shaker is frosty. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with witty repartee and a disdain for the working class.
