Mason Richel, bartender at Herbsaint, wants gin haters to reconsider that spirit. “People hear ‘gin’ and they get scared..they think PINE. ” In fact, Mason has served gin haters gin cocktails and to their surprise, they like them. “People don’t realize the gin is there – it’s nice to convert them.” His “Self Starter” is inspired by the classic gin martini, replacing vermouth with slightly bitter Cocchi Americano. Mason notes that Cocchi “plays nicely with tree fruit,” in this case, apricot liqueur. As a transplant from Wisconsin, Mason appreciates how New Orleans encourages people to leave their comfort zone and try something new. “New Orleans has its own vibe. I thought it was a joke when I heard that in Wisconsin, but New Orleans is its own world, a little treasure inside the US, and people only see it when they travel here.”
Self Starter
2 ounces Heyman’s gin
3/4 ounce Cocchi Americano
1/4 ounce apricot liqueur (Rothman and Winter, Mathilde or Giffard are all good brands)
Herbsaint or absinthe rinse
Garnish: lemon twist
Coat the inside of a coupe glass with Herbsaint using an atomizer or by swirling a small amount and shaking out the excess. Add gin, Cocchi and apricot liqueur to a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into the Herbsaint-coated coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist
