Sharkbait’s Cocktail Of The Week: The Devil Made Me Do It

Hello and happy Friday once again.

This week’s drink is one I had originally wanted to make last week, until a friend told me about the Elder Fashioneds he was enjoying recently so I shifted making this one to this week.

Coming to me via the Cointreau website, we have the Devil’s Own cocktail. I always feel slightly….off when I search for recipes online to make here. I feel like I should be utilizing my cocktail books for a recipe, or my using own mixing abilities to create something new to present here. Though the recipes exist for a reason, and sometimes it is the more efficient way to find a drink to make using the ingredients I have on hand. I know I’ve said it before, but I will start to make more of my own drinks here…someday.

Anyway, on to the Devil’s Own!

1 oz. Cointreau

1.5 oz. The Botanist gin

1 oz. Dry vermouth

1 dash Angostura Bitters

Combine all ingredients in a chilled mixing glass. Add ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist

The nose has a very light and citrus-y aroma, no real surprise when you use orange liqueur in the drink. The lemon twist also adds a subtle scent to the overall nose. It takes the edge off the orange I get from the Cointreau, and is a nice compliment. No gin is discernable at this stage either, which I appreciate. Gin has one of those very prominent smells, that can easily overpower lesser ingredients and affect the overall taste. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a strong drink, but I don’t necessarily want a nose full of juniper and botanicals before I even have a taste of the drink in front of me.

Now, the sip itself is quite interesting. It skews dry, but is nowhere as strong as I anticipated it to be. Initially, I don’t get a particular standout flavor. All the ingredients start out in harmony, creating a nice, even flavor profile. The Cointreau does start to come out in front eventually however. While the orange starts to become more prevalent, it also manages to suppress a lot of the strong floral flavors the gin brings to the table, though the juniper cannot be fully contained, and is able to poke its head through to remind you that yes, you are drinking an ounce and a half of gin here. The finish is namely the dry vermouth, with residual orange flavors. The vermouth lingers for a little bit post sip, but not unbearably long, which is nice.

I’m a little surprised by this cocktail. I thought it would be much stronger than it is, especially with gin as the base spirit. However the combination of the orange liqueur and dry vermouth really takes the edge off. I enjoyed this one a lit and definitely want to make it again.

(Banner image found here)