Before attending this year’s Second Annual Masters of Taste event I was already getting excited because not only was it a unique event held on the actual field of the Rose Bowl, with adult beverages and famous chefs, it also reminded me of my own mini version: Cocktails on the Roof held on the rooftop of Macy’s parking structure with our very own local chefs, their cocktails and whatever single spirit companies that wanted to join us.
I found Pomp & Whimsy at the Rose Bowl’s end zone, a VIP area of the event, and was immediately won over by their unique gin liqueur, both as a single spirit and in a cocktail. So much so that I invited them to join us on the roof.
Pomp & Whimsy brings modern sensibilities to the tradition of gin making, by infusing classically distilled gin with a natural, delightfully flavorful botanical liqueur. The result is a highly refined, yet playfully sensorial spirit, that is both graceful by itself, and effortlessly dressed, up or down. It’s gin, reimagined.
Made from scratch in Downtown Los Angeles from a select blend of 18 natural and whole ingredients, including juniper, coriander, angelica, grapefruit, bitter orange, cucumber, lychee, raspberry, lavender and jasmine pearls.
As to why this is a gin liqueur and not just a gin Dr. Nicola Nice, CEO at Pomp & Whimsy, LLC answered, “Hi Eve! A gin liqueur is a traditional gin that has been further infused with fruits, florals and botanicals. As a result, it is a lot more flavorful and aromatic than a regular gin. Traditionally, gin liqueurs were used as the basis for English cup-like cocktails (like Pimms). However, in our modern spin on the gin liqueur, we wanted to make a spirit that could also be sipped by itself on the rocks, as well as lightly mixed or used in place of gin in traditional cocktails. Compared to other liqueurs, Pomp & Whimsy is a lot less sweet, and at 30% ABV has a little more punch to stand up by itself.”
Tasting
A L O N E
Reminded me or rose water, sweetened and delicate, mouth coating viscosity.
NEGRONI ROSE
1 oz Pomp & Whimsy
1 oz Lillet Rose
1 oz Aperol
Combine the ingredients in an old-fashioned glass filled with ice; stir to combine.
Garnish with a twist of orange peel.
(From Eve: I LOVE that I had all of the ingredients ready to go in my liquor cabinet and refrigerator to make this cocktail! Very refreshing, reminded me of a perfect sugar-topped pink grapefruit, with hints of cling peaches, watermelon, mandarin oranges in light syrup all while getting a hint of rose petals on the aroma. I could have this as an aperitif or a digestif! And if this sounds too sweet – add more Pomp & Whimsy!)
SUFFRAGETTE MARTINI
1 oz Pomp & Whimsy
1 oz Vodka
1 oz Dry vermouth
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Stir well to chill.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Twist a piece of lemon peel over the drink for aromatics and use the twist as a garnish. (From Eve: Similar to a Vesper, aka Casino Royale, that also incorporates gin, vodka but with Lillet Blanc instead of Pomp & Whimsy, the Suffragette Martini is more delicate, and the botanical, floral and fruit flavors in Pomp & Whimsy are made just that much more delicate, with a less sweeter flavor. If you like your martini without the blaring flavors of say, of a Cosmopolitan, Lemon Drop or any dessert-flavored martini, this one is for you.)
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Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
