gonzalez

2 oz Beefeater Gin
3/4 oz Punt e Mes
1/4 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
2 dash Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters (Jerry Thomas Decanter)

Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail coupe.

Two Mondays ago, I reached for the Death & Co. Cocktail Book for a nightcap to round out the evening. There, in the gin section, was Phil Ward's 2008 tribute to Death & Co. bartender Jessica Gonzalez who started as a cocktail waitress and progressed to become their first female bartender. I had previously written about one of Jessica's drinks from that book called the Night Watch, and Phil's Gonzalez reminded me of a Martinez with Punt e Mes in place of the sweet vermouth.
Once stirred and strained, the Gonzalez offered up a juniper and fruity note from the Maraschino and grape to the nose. Next, grape and hints of cherry filled with sip, and the swallow showcased gin merging into a bitter cherry and spice. This combination of Punt e Mes and Maraschino immediately reminded me of the flavor backbone of Eastern Standard's Prospect Park.