Kuemmerling Lemonade — The German single-serve bitter built out into a berry-and-ginger long drink

Kuemmerling Lemonade

The German single-serve bitter built out into a berry-and-ginger long drink

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 ozKuemmerling
    Two of the little bottles, or a measure from a large one
    Substitute: Another German half-bitter
  • 2 dashesOrange Bitters
    The source says orange bitters without naming a brand
    Substitute: Any orange bitters
  • 3/4 ozLime Juice
    Fresh; the only acid here
  • 2 ozTonic Water
    To the top, over the crushed ice
    Substitute: Soda water, for less sweetness
  • 3/4 ozGinger Syrup
    Sharp rather than sweet, if you make your own

Instructions

  1. Pack a highball glass with crushed ice and fresh berries

    Berries first; they hold the ice apart so the tonic keeps its bead

  2. Add 1 1/3 oz Kuemmerling, 3/4 oz lime juice, 3/4 oz ginger syrup and 2 dashes orange bitters
  3. Stir briefly, top with more crushed ice and 2 oz tonic water
  4. Garnish with berries and a sprig of rosemary

Technique Notes

Berries and crushed ice go in before the liquid, not after. They are structural here rather than decorative: packed in first they hold the ice column apart so the tonic keeps its bead, and dropped on top afterwards they simply sink and go flat.

Why the Kuemmerling Lemonade Works

Kuemmerling is licorice, cinnamon, clove and spearmint, which is a lot of sweet spice to lengthen without turning cloying. Ginger and lime answer it directly, and tonic's quinine adds a second bitterness that keeps the licorice from taking the whole glass.