Blue Moon Cocktail
Did you know there’s a blue moon tonight? But unlike it’s moniker the moon won’t actually be blue. Nope, sorry to disappoint you. Like the saying “once in a blue moon”, a blue moon only occurs once every couple years and is the second full moon in a calendar month. But the blue moon that’s happening tonight isn’t that kind of blue moon either. This one’s even more rare. See, usually there are three full moons every season. But once in a great while there are four. That’s what’s happening tonight.
If you’re worried Kitchy has suddenly gone all scientific, don’t be. I’m not going to go on and on about the effect the moon has on the tides or how old the satellite is. I’m giving you a little information so you’ll understand why I chose to make today’s cocktail. As I said tonight’s blue moon is a rare occurrence. As a matter of fact, there won’t be another one until January of 2018. So, in honor of tonight’s rare occurrence, I’m sharing this classic Blue Moon cocktail with which you can toast.
The Blue Moon can be found in several vintage cocktail books including David Embury’s 1948 Art of Mixing Drinks and Ted Haigh’s more recent Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails. But according to David Wondrich the Blue Moon actually got it’s start in a little bar in New York called Joel’s which was considered by some to be “the most colorful, the most romantic, the most vibrating place in all New York.” Joel’s was owned and operated by Joel Rinaldo and it was in this little bar on 41st St. that the Blue Moon was originally conceived. Unfortunately Joel didn’t write down the recipe, so the version I’m presenting may be different from the version you get at your local bar. I’ve done my research though, and I think this version is pretty close to the original. Even if it isn’t, it’s still quite good.
It’s the Crème de Violette that really makes this drink. It adds a subtle, sweet, floral flavor that blends beautifully with the lemon juice. But it’s really the color that makes this cocktail something special. Since the liqueur is dark blue, it adds a gorgeous grey-blue hue that is reminiscent of the night sky; one you’ll probably witness tonight as you’re toasting that stunning, rare, full (blue) moon.
Blue Moon
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. gin
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. creme de violette
Directions:
- Place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously for 20 – 30 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and serve.
