Merry Christmas Mom Mixeur: La Florence

A few weeks back Mom Mixeur suggested that for a Christmas gift, I create an original cocktail and name it after her. I don't know if she expected me to actually be mad enough to do so, but you'd think after all these years she would know me well enough to know I'm nothing if not mad. After all, she's known me since I was at least 13. And so create a cocktail for her I did, and name it after her I did.

Which brings us to a little secret: my mother's real name is not Mom Mixeur. It's Florence Howe Munat. Florrie for short. I thought about calling her cocktail a Florrie-dita or a Florrie-dora...but she asked me to please don't do that. So, we'll go with the ever-more-distinguished...La Florence.

La Florence

2 oz white rum
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz Velvet Falernum
1/2 oz St. Germain
2 dashes Regan's Orange Bitters

shake and strain into a cocktail glass rinsed with green Chartreuse

There's really nothing at all about this drink that's in keeping with the season, as it's more of an easy sipping spring or summer breeze. But, key to its concept is that I figured Mom Mixeur would like it. And I think she did, though it's hard to tell because moms tend not to tell you that you suck, especially on Christmas day.

On the other hand, any cocktail can seem festive when pictured alongside Christmas cookies and pecan pie!



I fed some earlier variation of this cocktail to Robert Rowland of Oliver's Twist (not to mention the next version of Left Coast Libations), and he recommended cutting the St. Germain back to 1/4 ounce. I did this, and I liked that.

However, today I arrived at the Munat family homestead with an inconspicuous shoulder bag slung fashionably to one hip. When the moment came, I reached into this bag and withdrew all the needed ingredients and tools for making the drink, listing off the proportions of each that were to be included. I then proceeded to make two versions of the cocktail - one with 1/4 ounce Germain and one with 1/2 ounce. Mom Mixeur made her preference known for the 1/2 ounce version. She said that she could see why a professional bartender might prefer the subtler version, since a person of such position likely bears a more refined palette than her own. I explained to her that while she could be right, if I ever caught any bartender dissing my mama's palette I would most certainly smite thee!

And Robert, if you're reading this, just because I sometimes calls you daddy don't make you my mama. So 1/2 ounce of the St. Germain it is!

And here's a portrait of Mom Mixeur with her La Florence, taken earlier this fine Christmas day. But I must warn you, she's pretty freaking adorable, particularly when imbued with the warm glow of a fine cocktail and familial festivities...





Oh, and I did also buy her a material object type of gift as well, in case any of you traditionalists are thinking about giving me a hard time.

Happy Holidays everyone.

Le Gra,
T.Mixeur

Comments

Anonymous said…
Awesome post, Ted. Love your writing...!
T. Mixeur said…
Thanks Christine, I love your writing too! Especially when you're writing sentences that begin with 'awesome' and end with 'Ted.'