Domaine de Canton Cocktail Advances to 42 Below Cocktail World Cup D.C. Regionals!

Meet the Cook Strait Sling

Almost 100 years ago, a bartender named Ngiam Tong Boon created a drink that would become world famous, the Singapore Sling.  Also known as the Straits Sling, it was named for the Straits of Singapore, the connecting body of water between Singapore and Malaysia to the north, and Indonesia to the south.

The featured drink of this blog posting was inspired by an early version of the Straits Sling, which contained only gin, lemon juice, two types of bitters, Benedictine, and seltzer water.  We're proud to say that the Cook Strait Sling has advanced to the Capitol Region Finals of the 42 Below Cocktail World Cup Competition. 

Since this competition is sponsored by 42 Below Vodka, a fine product of New Zealand, this drink was named for Cook Strait, the water passage separating the two main islands of New Zealand, the North Island and the South Island. 

It's easy to make, here's how:

The Cook Strait Sling

1.5 oz 42 Below Vodka

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz Cherry Heering Cherry Liqueur

3/4 oz Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

2 dashes Orange Bitters 

Shake well with ice, strain into highball glass filled with ice, then add 2 oz seltzer water back into shaker, swirl it around in ice, then top off the drink with it. Stir, serve, enjoy.

Professionals in the City - Pre-Valentine's Day Mixer

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 from 7pm to 10pm
At Farmers & Fishers / Co-sponsored by Domaine de Canton

Join Professionals in the City for a Pre-Valentine's Day cocktail party at Farmers & Fishers at the Washington Harbour in Georgetown. Meet fellow professionals, sip on a great new cocktail and sample hors d’oeuvres in a private event space with beautiful surroundings. Cozy up with a new friend next to the fireplace in the elegant lounge, or mingle in the main room. Special Domaine de Canton “A Streetcar Named de Canton” cocktails will be mixed by Jon Arroyo, Chief Mixologist of Farmers & Fishers and the Alembic Cocktail Catering Co. with delicious appetizers prepared by Chef Stephen Bieker.

Admission Includes: 

Two “Streetcar Named de Canton” signature cocktails (recipe below) or a choice of wine, beer or other cocktails
Hummus and Tapenade Dips With Grilled Bread
Assorted Farmhouse Pizza Bites
Chocolate Covered Bacon Lollis
Crudités Platter With Dips Fresh Made Guacamole, Chips & Salsa

Come alone or invite a friend - you won’t want to miss this exclusive event! Admission is $40.00 if purchased by 5 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2010.  Reservations must be made through Professionals in the City [ event registration link: http://bit.ly/c1HgxT ]

Streetcar Named De Canton


¾ oz Domaine de Canton

1 oz Kubler Absinthe

¾ oz Lime juice

¾ oz Mint syrup

8 mint leaves

4 chunks of ginger

In a mixing glass muddle mint leaves, ginger, and lime juice. Add mint syrup, Domaine de Canton, and Kubler, add ice cover and shake vigorously. Fine strain into a single old fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

The Basil Faultless Cocktail

This recent invention pairs nicely with Asian cuisine, or spicy appetizers, and it's incredibly easy to make. It debuted last night at a kickoff event for Taste of the Nation D.C., held at The Passenger (1021 7th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.), and I must have made 100 of them, it was that popular.

The Basil Faultless Cocktail

1.5 oz Gin (such as Plymouth or Hendrick's)

1 oz Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur

1/2 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice

4-5 basil leaves

Shake well with ice, add 1-2 oz seltzer water to shaker, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with basil sprig. Enjoy!

Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation D.C. event will be held Monday, April 12th at the National Building Museum here in Washington, D.C., and will feature some of the area's best chefs and mixologists. The event raises money to wipe out child poverty. For more information on this amazing event, please see: http://strength.org/washington. Hope to see you there!