The Orange Blossom cocktail was said to have been created during Prohibition as a way to hide the flavor of the "bathtub gin." Well I wish someone had as much foresight when it came to creating the Palm Beach Special. Let's just say that one packs a punch.
With the ingredients being of equal proportions, the Orange Blossom is a well balanced cocktail. There's just enough sour from the orange juice to cut the sweetness of the vermouth which harmonizes with the botanical notes from the gin. Overall, a well thought out cocktail....even if it was covering up bad gin.
The Palm Beach Special screams booze! Even my gin loving wife thought there was something off with this cocktail. It wasn't quite as balanced as the Orange Blossom. Surely cutting a 1/2 oz of gin out of the recipe would mellow out the punchy kick of gin. Or perhaps increasing the vermouth to 3/4 oz. Either way, if you like this cocktail, as is, then hats off to you!
His Cocktail - Orange Blossom
3/4 oz Plymouth gin
3/4 oz Sweet vermouth
3/4 oz Fresh orange juice
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add all the ingredients. Shake until chilled. Strain into a Nick & Nora glass.
Her Cocktail - Palm Beach Special
2 1/2 oz Plymouth gin
3/4 oz Fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 oz Sweet vermouth
Brandied Cherry garnish
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add all the ingredients. Shake until chilled. Strain into a Nick & Nora glass. Garnish.
Happy Drinking!