London Fog
What better suited drink for a mystery-themed site than this Friday’s cocktail, the London Fog.
In Victorian times, London was known for its pea soup like fogs that blanketed the city. Though in actuality, London fogs were really smogs—air pollution—caused by prevalent coal burning both by manufacturing and home use. This exhaust mixed with fog from the Thames River and caused respiratory realted deaths. A danger easily linked with atmospheric descriptions in mysteries of the period. From a few mentions in Sherlock Holmes stories to its use in such films as Alfred Hitchock’s The Lodger and Midnight Lace starring Doris Day, London Fog has become linked to the mystery suspense genre.
What you’ll need: Gin and Absinthe (or Pernod)
Pour 1 3/4 ounce of gin and 1/2 ounce of absinthe (or pernod) into a shaker over cracked ice. Shake and then strain into a cocktail glass or alternatively, into a rocks glass over cubed ice.
How I like it: Considering this cocktail is quite strong, not very often. I follow the recipe as prescribed, using Absinthe of course (which is stronger, in my opinion, than Pernod). Both Absinthe and Pernod are anise flavored liqueurs which take some getting used to. Still, this is a solid drink for cold misty nights to enjoy along with a Victorian mystery or two.
Don’t lose yourself in a fog, drink responsibly!
The Poisoned Martini 