I’ve been leaning more and more towards stirred gin drinks lately. Remember, you shake cocktails that contain ingredients with different densities from your spirits, like fruit juice, so stirred cocktails tend to be more spirit-forward. Things like the Means of Preservation, #42, Gin-Campari Old Fashioned, Lucien Gaudin, and of course the Martini and its close cousin the Vesper. I’ve got some new favorite recipes in this category that I’m excited to share. Today it’s the Joy Divison.
The Joy Division is definitely a spirit-forward cocktail. It starts with your typical martini ingredients – gin and dry vermouth – and makes the addition of Cointreau and a bit of absinthe. It’s strong and herbal with a hint of sweet citrus. It’s a great alternative to a martini if you’re in the mood for something with a little more flavor.
History: The Joy Division comes from Phil Ward of Death & Co in New York. He created it in 2008. As far as I can tell, the name is an homage to an English rock band.
Joy Division
2 oz. gin
1 oz. dry vermouth
1/2 oz. Cointreau
3 dashes* absinthe (I used Herbsaint)
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist. I discarded the twist and threw in some edible flowers.
*Remember, a dash is between 1/8 and 1/4 tsp. For the absinthe, I recommend measuring it out since the flavor can be overpowering if you put too much.
Recipe from Liquor.com.