Well, now if you’re lookin’ for somethin’ a bit special to sip on, I reckon I can tell ya ’bout a drink called The Bitter Frenchman. Sounds fancy, don’t it? But don’t go thinkin’ it’s all highfalutin and hard to make. No, no, it’s real simple, once you get the hang of it. I heard folks say it’s a cocktail for them that likes a little kick, a little bite to their drink, so if you’re one of them, this here’s your go-to. Let me tell ya how to put it together, real easy-like.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce of Cognac (get you some VSOP if you fancy it, though any kind’ll do fine)
- 1 ounce of Lillet Blanc, that’s a French aperitif, might be hard to find in some stores but it’s real good if you do
- 1/2 ounce of Aperol, that’s a bit of a bitter liqueur, it’ll give the drink a nice color too
- 1/2 ounce of Suze, that’s another bitter French liqueur, and it really adds that edge to the drink
- A twist of lemon, just to finish it off nice and fresh
Now, don’t let all them fancy words scare ya. All this stuff is just bits and pieces that come together to make somethin’ real nice. You don’t need no fancy bar or mixologist to do it, just a good ol’ shaker and a bit of patience.
How to Make It:
First thing you wanna do is get yourself a shaker. If you don’t got one, don’t worry, a jar’ll work just as fine. Pour your 1 ounce of Cognac in there, followed by the Lillet Blanc, Aperol, and Suze. Then, add a handful of ice. Now, give it a good shake. None of that weak stuff, ya hear? Shake it like you’re trying to mix a good ol’ batch of cornbread. Give it about 15 seconds, real hard.
Once you got it all mixed up, grab you a nice glass, preferably one that looks a little more stylish than a mason jar, but if that’s all you got, then that’ll do too. Strain your drink into the glass, nice and slow, so you don’t splash it everywhere.
Then, take your lemon, slice it real thin, and twist it over the drink to release them oils. Drop it right on top, and now you’re all set!
This here drink’s got a real bitter taste to it, which is what makes it so different from the usual cocktails you might find. It’s got that sharpness from the Aperol and Suze, but that Cognac smooths it out just right. If you like something that ain’t too sweet, this one’s right up your alley. Some folks even call it a “grown-up drink,” what with all them strong flavors and all.
But lemme tell ya, it’s not just a drink for the city folks. You can make this in your own kitchen, no problem. Just get you the ingredients, and if you can’t find ’em at your local store, I betcha there’s a place online that’ll send ’em right to your door. And after a couple sips, you’ll feel like you’re sittin’ at a fancy bar in Paris or somewheres like that.
When to Drink It:
Now, I ain’t sayin’ this is a drink for every occasion. It’s not somethin’ you’ll wanna drink while you’re workin’ out in the garden or sittin’ around the fire pit with your neighbors. Nah, this is the kinda drink you have when you’re lookin’ to unwind, when you’ve had a long day and wanna feel a little classy. It’s a good drink for a quiet evening, or maybe when you’ve got folks over and you want to impress ‘em with somethin’ a little different.
Some folks might drink it before supper, like a little aperitif to get things goin’. Others might have it just to sit and chat with friends, watchin’ the sun set or listenin’ to the radio. Heck, some might even drink it at a fancy party where they’re tryin’ to look real proper. Whatever the reason, it’s sure to stand out.
Why It’s Called The Bitter Frenchman:
Now, this drink got its name because, well, it’s bitter, just like the French liqueurs it uses. But that’s not the only reason. There’s somethin’ about it that’s kind of sophisticated, too. It’s got that old-world charm, a little fancy but still down-to-earth. And I reckon if a Frenchman were to drink it, he’d probably call it “just right.” No sweetness here, just pure, honest flavors, like a good meal made from scratch. If you ask me, it’s a drink for folks who know what they like and ain’t afraid to stand out.
So, if you’re tired of the same ol’ drinks, go ahead and give The Bitter Frenchman a try. You’ll be surprised how somethin’ so simple can taste so darn good. And hey, even if it don’t end up being your favorite, it sure makes for a good story next time you’re sittin’ around the table with friends.
Now go on, mix you up one and see what you think. Cheers to a drink that ain’t afraid to be different!
Tags: [Bitter Frenchman Cocktail, Bitter Cocktail, Cocktail Recipe, French Cocktail, Aperitif, Cognac, Lillet Blanc, Suze]
