Ingredients
- 2 ozAvèzeTwo thirds of the drink, and the whole point of itSubstitute: Another French gentian aperitif
- 1 ozSweet VermouthA sweet floor for the gentian to stand on
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice
- Add 2 oz Aveze and 1 oz sweet vermouth
- Stir until cold
Two thirds gentian to one third vermouth, in that order
Technique Notes
Two thirds gentian to one third vermouth, and in that order. The vermouth is here to give the gentian a sweet floor to stand on, not to share the drink; reverse the ratio and it becomes a vermouth cocktail with a bitter note rather than a gentian one.
Why the The Volcano Works
Gentian is the most one-note bitter in the aperitif cabinet, earthy and rooty with almost no fruit to it. Sweet vermouth supplies the fruit and the weight from outside, which is why two ingredients are enough here and a third would be in the way.