todd collins

1 1/2 oz Old Raj 110 Gin
1 1/2 oz Hayman's Old Tom Gin
1 oz Lemon Juice
1 oz Simple Syrup (2:1)

Shake with ice and strain into a Collins glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a Benedictine-soaked cucumber slice, a violet ice cube (*), a candied violet, and a straw.
(*) Soak violet petals in water. Add crushed candied violet to the mix. Strain and freeze in an ice cube tray.
Last Wednesday, I met up with Andrea at Clio. One of the drinks that bartender Todd Maul made for me was a riff on the classic Tom Collins that he called the Todd Collins. As part of his upcoming Spring menu, the Todd Collins featured the flavor and aroma of one of the harbingers of that season, the violet, with stunning effect. The violet was present both in a flavored ice cube and in a candied violet garnish, and these ingredients contributed to the nose along with the fresh cucumber aroma. Initially, the sip was a tart lemon flavor with plenty of gin notes on the swallow. As the violet ice cube melted, it formed a beautiful cascade of blue that sunk to the bottom of the glass. There, the violet entered the sip where it paired well with the lemon and gin flavors. Once this occurred, the drink reminded me a lot of an Aviation Cocktail even without the requisite Maraschino liqueur being present.