Crescendo

• 1.5 oz. Hayman’s Exotic Citrus gin
• 0.5 oz. Junipero Smoked Rosemary gin
• 0.5 oz. St. George Aqua Perfecta basil liqueur
• 0.5 oz. Cocchi Americano
• 0.25 oz. limoncello
• dash of Crude “Rizzo” bitters
• 6 drops of lactart

Stir with ice and strain into glass. Garnish with toasted rosemary.

Although it appears secondary, this began as me exploring the Junipero rosemary offering, which I really like, but found overpowering if I stuck to that as a base. Thus I reached for the Hayman’s for a bright citrus base, enhanced by the Junipero. Lemon, basil, some sweet and bitter herbaceousness from the Cocchi — all added nicely to the drink. “Rizzo” features notes of rosemary, grapefruit and peppercorn, which paired well. I felt it lacked some acid, but didn’t want the more dominating presence of a lemon or lime, so dropped in some lactart. And there it was.

The name is a musical theater deep cut. There’s a character in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying named Rosemary. The song sung about her features the line:

Just imagine if we kissed.
What a crescendo not to be missed!

So don’t miss it.