Late summer is such a wonderful time. It is not my favorite, I’m a fall guy, but I do love it. Cooler nights, a bit of crispness in the morning air. The end of the harvest coming on. There are still tomatoes on the vine, but fewer. You can feel things winding down, which is when the sunflowers take the stage. That may or may not be true, but I saw some beautiful sunflowers on the side of the road today, so we are going with it. Won’t you join me now as we stand and make the Sunflower. 

This riff on the Corpse Reviver #2 was created by Sam Ross. Want to know more about how it got that unusual name? Check back with me in October when we will certainly be making that one. Or I guess you could use the internet, but not till we are finished, if you please. It is also an equal parts cocktail, which I kind of love. So, let’s make it. 

Ok, it is all equal parts so grab your tins and pop in 3/4 of an ounce each of Gin, I used New Amsterdam Original; elderflower liqueur, I chose St. Germain for that amazing bottle; Cointreau and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Two drops of 18-21 Prohibition Bitters, add ice and shake. Shake languidly on a summer afternoon to the tune of “You Are My Sunshine“. I used to sing that to the boy when he was little and he enjoyed it, so if you want to borrow that memory and live vicariously, by all means, do. Grab something beautiful, I chose a lovely crystal piece with a sunflower design, on loan from the collection of Mom. Grab your atomizer and spray the interior a couple of times with absinthe, preferably Corsair. Double strain, garnish with some fresh rosemary and a couple of tiny yellow flowers picked from the roadside for this express purpose. 

This drink is so good. Preferable to the original in my opinion. The elderflower just balances the citrus in this one so well and really complements the gin. Very nicely done. Super refreshing and light. Nearly perfect for a summer afternoon. 

I’m a fan of St. Germain, have been since I first experienced it in a G&T variation in a Seattle bar many moons ago. I try to keep it on hand, but have never sprung for the beautiful big bottle before. I have a whole list of things I want to try that call for it, so expect to see this bottle fairly often as we finish out the summer. It’s a good drink named after a good flower, I have no idea why. Maybe Mr. Ross was a fan of the Sunflower grocery stores of the 70’s. I know I was. I can still taste those weird chocolate chip cookies and I’m convinced that groceries that have gotten to ride on a conveyor into the parking lot are happier and, therefore, healthier for you. Not sure why that concept didn’t take off, but it made some good childhood memories for me, feel free to borrow those too, if you think they will help. Stay safe, stay hydrated and stay sane, my friends.