Cocktails are so popular now that more people are experimenting with making their own exotic blends at home. They're especially refreshing to drink at the end of a hot day, but also during the long party season over Christmas and New Year.

Making your own cocktails at home can be addictive and a lot of fun. Here's one recipe that's already popular and if you like gin, then you might enjoy a French Pearl.

The French pearl cocktail was invented by famous mixologist, Audrey Sanders of the Pegu Club in New York. Since Audrey describes herself as a ‘gin girl’ it’s not surprising the French pearl includes gin as a main ingredient.

The cocktail is a refreshing blend of gin and absinthe with a slight undercurrent of fresh lime, giving it a delicate sweet and sour taste. It’s best sipped and not gulped since the anise from the absinthe is quite strong.

The original recipe is most likely to be made using Plymouth gin and Pernod at the Pegu Club but the choice is yours to use other brands if you prefer.

This recipe will make one French pearl cocktail and is perfect at the end of a hot day.

Step 1: 
Muddle the mint. 

Put the mint sprig and remaining ingredients, except the ice, into your cocktail shaker and muddle the mint for a minute or two.


Step 2: 
Add ice and shake. 

Add the ice and shake well until a frost has developed on surface of the cocktail shaker.


Step 3: 
Strain and pour. 

Pour the cocktail through a strainer into your chilled cocktail glass and enjoy!



What You Will Need 

• 8 parts gin 
• 1 part absinthe 
• 3 parts lime juice 
• 3 parts gomme (sugar syrup) 
• 1 mint sprig 
• Ice (8-10 small cubes) 
• Chilled cocktail glass 

Tips and Warnings 

•  If traces of mint sprig filter through the strainer, strain the cocktail again.