Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: Coffee Coolers

Happy holy fuck it’s hot Friday. Is it me or does it seem like its been either a wet. smoky, or boiling hot summer so far? Not surprising given that the planet is on fire, so might as well finds a creative way to cool off.

I’ve been eying this one for a while, and this past scorcher of a week seemed like the best time to try this. It comes from the Gentleman’s Companion, and it’s called the Mi Amonte. Not gonna lie, I was a bit skepical about how this one would turn out considering all it is is gin and coffee ice cream:

Take of the best gin possible, 1 1/2 jiggers (2.25 oz.), of coffee ice cream, 1 cup. Put into a chilled shaker and shake well, or better still, in the blender. Some people add a few lumps of ice to help the chill – straining the latter out in serving. Pour into large saucer type champagne glasses. 

I chose the blender method and added in a couple ice cubes as well. By blender I mean stick blender in a cocktail shaker. I would suggest doing it that way unless you want to make a bunch of these, or you don’t have a stick blender. If it’s the latter, I highly suggest picking one up. It’s a very versatile kitchen tool and you will use it more than you think.

Anyway, on to the tasting!  This concoction smells like gin and not much else. Not surprising since I don’t think coffee ice cream has much of a smell to begin with so of course one of the more potent smelling spirits is gonna stand out over the ice cream.

Well, the author of the Gentleman’s Companion, Charles Baker has yet again nailed the description here. He says “results are entirely at odds with the first reaction to its written formula”. It is boozy, sweet and cooling all at once. You get all gin in this one, no wonder he specifies to use the best gin you have on hand. The coffee notes in the ice cream are completely overshadowed. The ice cream acts more as a cooler (and a half ass sweetener) as well as a thickener. The ice cream coats your palate so the strong juniper and spice flavors of the gin hang around, making this one a slow sipper for sure. Unless you really, really like neat gin. Then by all means knock this down as fast as you can.

For me, as cooling and refreshing as this is, it might be a little too strong for me. Words I never thought I would say. Shocking isn’t it? It is good, and when its stupid hot like it has been (THANKS CLIMATE CHANGE!) It was a welcome changeup in the repertoire of cocktails and drinks to cool off. Maybe next time I’ll back off the gin as a start and see where that gets me.

(Banner image courtesy Matthew Tetrault Photography)