la verdad

1 1/2 oz Tru Organic Gin
1 oz Blandy's Bual Madeira
1/2 oz Rosemary Syrup (*)
1/2 oz Lime Juice

Shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass.
(*) A rosemary syrup recipe can be found here (note: 200mL/200gram = about a cup).

Two Sundays ago, Andrea and I went shopping and got dinner in North Hampton. On the way home we stopped into the Armsby Abbey in Worcester for dessert and a cocktail. The drink that caught my eye was La Verdad which was captioned, "No lies, deception, or misdirection, just the promise that Spring is here." The combination of sharp Madeira, rosemary, and lime flavors seemed like an interesting combination akin to the similar (but ginger noted) Port of Funchal. Moreover, it seemed like a good follow up to the previous evening's Les Champs Verts, so I asked bartender Eric to make me one.
La Verdad's aroma contained Madeira and herbal notes from the rosemary syrup and gin. Next, the sip contained lime and Madeira's grape flavors, and the swallow presented the rosemary, gin, and Madeira's oxidized notes. Indeed, the sharper aspect of the Madeira complemented the lime and rosemary rather well and helped to provided a clean and dry finish to the drink.