Like it’s namesake, I found this particular cocktail (or at least this version of it) to be a bit of a paradox.
Napoleon Bonaparte was a contradictory figure: a man who came from nowhere, but achieved immense power. He was labeled a “liberal tyrant” and an “enlightened despot”. A meglomaniac who was ruthless and aggressive in his political and military ambitions; he somehow also reformed education, encouraged the study of science and art, and extended the civil rights of religious minorities.
The Napoleon cocktail, as I was previously aware of it, was pretty straight forward: gin, dubonnet (for the “french” component, I suppose), along with some sort of orange-style liquor. Grand marnier, if you were doubling down on the gallic theme, otherwise curacoa or triple sec.
The version in our Mixing Master manuscript, however, bears little resemblance — aside from the gin — to the drink I am familiar with. It’s not citrus-y, and it’s not crisp. It’s thick and creamy. It’s also contradictory. It’s a cocktail, but it also works as a delightfully decadent dessert.
Ingredients:
- SHAVED ICE
and equal parts of:
- DRY GIN
- CRÈME YVETTE
- GRENADINE SYRUP
- CREAM
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake well. Strain into a delmonico glass and serve.
Notes:
You know those dark chocolate crème liqueur candies you get gifted sometimes? The ones that have an oozy, creamy, pink middle? The ones that are so indulgent that you shouldn’t, you really shouldn’t eat more than one or maybe two at the most, but you end up demolishing half the box in one go? Yup, that’s what we’re dealing with here in Caulkins’ version of a Napoleon Cocktail.
First off, it’s got Crème Yvette, which as we’ve previously established, I’d happily fill a pool with and swim laps in. Its berry/honey/vanilla/floral theme gets an extra shot of sweetness (but also a tart kick) from the grenadine. The gin provides more dry tartness along with that distinctive sharp junipery note, but it’s all smoothed over by the cream.
Equal amounts of each ingredient keep any one of them from overpowering the drink. Each flavor seems to come in a wave, the rich sweetness of the first taste on your tongue being chased by the tart sharpness as you swallow. Contradictory. Like Napoleon.