Aphrodisiaque

I found Aphrodisiaque while exploring a French cocktail site as part of a self-imposed assignment for my French class to pass out a set of French cocktail recipes to the class.  French cocktail style differs from American, but both result in great cocktails.  When I adapt a French recipe for the American audience, I tend to slightly increase the amounts of liquor and liqueurs, to decrease the amounts of lemon juice and fruit juice, and to decrease or eliminate the water or club soda.  Cocktails (as opposed to simple drinks) cost a lot more in Europe, so they tend to have more “filler” to stretch out the time it takes to drink them.  Not a bad idea under the circumstances, but not always what American drinkers are looking for.  The French recipe for the Aphrodisiaque includes filling the glass with Perrier® (or club soda/ seltzer), which I have omitted.  On the other hand, if you’re looking for a cocktail with lower Alcohol by Volume (ABV), the French style may be a good way to go.  Think of the differences between how you would mix a cocktail for serving in a highball glass as opposed to a cocktail glass (see Dark and Stormy for an example).

As for the name, I decided to test the Aphrodisiaque out on my wife.  While she really enjoyed it (the cocktail, that is), it did not appear to have any more aphrodisiac affect than any other drink.  Apparently, even the French have not yet perfected aphrodisiac science.  C’est la vie!

Aphrodisiaque  (with acknowledgement to 1001cocktails.com)

1 ½  oz. Bombay Sapphire® Gin

1 ½  oz. Grand Marnier® or Cointreau® (or Triple Sec)

Juice of ½ lemon (about 1 oz.)

Rim a chilled cocktail glass with fine sugar.  Combine ingredients with cracked ice in a shaker.  Shake lovingly while thinking of Julie Delpy.  Strain into the cocktail glass.  Add some chilled Perrier® if you feel the need.  Garnish with a pair of maraschino cherries.  Enjoy!