Lush Life

The region of Savoie Mont Blanc in France is known for a lot of things - mountains, skiing, hiking, Michelin starred restaurants, but not usually its wines. That’s all changing as more and more of them are winning awards. I was invited by Savoie Mont Blanc Tourism to meet the folks who are spreading the word about the wines I’ve been sipping with my tartiflette when shushing the slopes of Chamonix.

First I met Bernard Vissoud the Savoie wine specialist, who took me on a tour of the vineyards teaching me the history of the region, then I toured two of the local vineyards the Domaine Dupraz and the Domaine Edmond Jacquin who are open to visitors and ready to talk wines with anyone who is in the neighborhood.

I have definitely become an ambassador of Savoie wines and have been introducing them to everyone I know. But don’t think just because it’s wine country that I wasn’t drinking a cocktail or two. 1883 Syrups are located in Savoie Mont Blanc and I was treated to a cocktail-making class with Brand Ambassador Johnny Salvo.

Our cocktail of the week is one of the many that Johnny made for me. It’s called the Mauresque Mai Tai  - the Savoie twist on the Mai Tai or you could say a tiki twist on the local Mauresque cocktail, originally made with Absinthe and Orgeat.

Ingredients:

• 20 ml Pastis
• 20 ml Classic Rum (Cuban or Puerto Rican)
• 20 ml Sugar cane rum (Cachaca, Rhum Agricole)
• 20 ml Orgeat Syrup (Almond)
• 1 teaspoon of Orange Blossom Water
• 20 ml squeezed lime juice
• Aromatic Bitters
• Garnish - mint, slice of dried lime and a star anise

Method:

Put all the ingredients into a shaker, add ice and then shake. Double strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Add a few dashes of aromatic bitters on the top. Garnish with mint, slice of dried lime and a star anise.

You’ll find this recipe and all the cocktails of the week on ALushLifeManual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop.

If you are heading to Savoie Mont Blanc, check out my latest post on bestbitsworldwide.com or the Savoie Mont Blanc Tourism or http://www.savoie-mont-blanc.com.

Always remember the wise words of Oscar Wilde, “All things in moderation, including moderation,” and always drink responsibly!

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Until next time, BOTTOMS UP ????