The Backstage Blush

Here’s something elegant, balanced, and a little cheeky, since it’s for someone who knows their drinks:

The Backstage Blush

A celebratory, inside-baseball cocktail with a bartender’s wink.

What You’ll Need

• 1 oz lychee liqueur (or lychee purée if you want more texture)

• 1/2 oz dry gin (preferably a floral style, like Hendrick’s or Monkey 47)

• 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters (for color and aromatics)

• Pink Champagne, well chilled

• Garnish: skewered lychee stuffed with a tiny piece of candied ginger

Procedure

1. Chill a coupe or flute.

2. In a shaker with ice, stir together the lychee liqueur and gin (just to chill, not to dilute too much).

3. Strain into the glass.

4. Add the dashes of bitters.

5. Top slowly with pink Champagne to preserve the bubbles.

6. Garnish with the lychee-ginger skewer across the rim.

Flavors

Lightly floral and fruity from the lychee, and structured with the dryness of the gin.

Rounded and celebratory with the effervescence of pink Champagne, while the bitters add depth and a bartender’s “signature flourish.”