Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: They Maid Me Do It

Happy Friday once again. This marks the first full week back at work after taking half a month off to watch Baby Shark while Mrs. Sharkbait started her new job. It was an educational experience for sure. Baby Shark certainly learned a lot of new words while dad had hockey on in the background from noon until the Mrs. came home. Unfortunately, the combination of going back to work and the in-home care we have for Baby Shark really cuts down on the amount of lunch beer I’m able to partake.

Sigh.

The sacrifices we must make right? All that really means is by the end of the day I’m even more ready for a cocktail that I usually would be. This week I was looking for something on the lighter side since it is still summer after all, and has been rather hot here lately. Not as hot as those in California mind you, but still, hot and uncomfortable. Enter, the Old Maid.

Old Maid? Isn’t that a card game? Or someone who isn’t married by the time they’re 25 (according to grandmother-in-law)? Well, yes to both of those. It is also a cocktail made by (sadly now former) Company Bar in the East Side of Manhattan. This recipe comes via Jim Meehan and the PDT book. Let’s mix!

Old Maid:

2 oz. Plymouth Gin

1 oz. Lime juice

.75 oz. Simple Syrup

6 Mint leaves, plus 1 sprig of garnish

4 Slices cucumber, reserve one for garnish

Muddle the cucumber and mint with the simple syrup. Add everything else, then shake with ice and fine strain over 1 large ice cube in a chilled rocks glass. Garnish with a mint sprig poked through a slice of cucumber.

Off the bat I get a strong cucumber nose. It isn’t oppressive, but it’s unmistakably a cucumber based drink. The cuke does an admirable job covering the juniper notes from the gin as it fights its way through. It’s faint, but it’s there. Overall, it smells…fresh, like a summer day in a glass.

The sip starts out tart. The 1 ounce of lime juice really makes itself known here. After that subsides, I get a rush of cucumber, with a hint of gin mixed in. It finishes with a delicate touch of mint. It was very refreshing. Mrs. Sharkbait likened it to the happy marriage of a Mint Julep and a Lime Rickey.

As tasty as it is, I think I could only have about two of these at the most. The simple syrup gives the flavor a slightly sweet backbone, which is good. However, it lingers well after the sip. So as you drink it, the sweetness starts to build towards the end. I would definitely make this again, though I would add more mint. I used about as much as my mint plant could give, so I’m sure I was short of the 6 leaves the recipe calls for. Thankfully I had enough to make it work.

Go forth and enjoy the weekend, all while wearing a mask of course.

(Banner image found here)