Death In The Afternoon

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Cocktail History

The Death In The Afternoon is a vintage cocktail that was created in the 1930s by author Ernest Hemingway, who was known for his preference for strong drinks. In the same vein, this one carries on that trend by mixing about an ounce of absinthe with effervescent sparkling wine.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Sparkling Wine: This is a type of wine made with white grapes and yeast, which are fermented with the skins to produce alcohol and then infused with carbon dioxide gas to develop a pale yellow-green color and crisp, fruity flavor.

Absinthe: This is a spirit made by distilling a neutral alcohol with wormwood, anise, fennel, and other botanicals to develop a strong, herbal flavor.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Villa Bellezza Winery Brillante
• 🔗 Great Lakes Distillery Amerique 1912 Absinthe Verte

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring cocktails, layering ingredients, and reaching the bottom of tall glasses and mixing vessels.

Coupe Glass: This is a stemmed glass with a shallow, wide bowl that’s used for serving shaken cocktails and sparkling drinks without ice.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Faint green color

• Aroma: Strong, effervescent licorice aroma

• Taste: Creamy textured explosion of strong, bitter anise flavors

• Finish: Bubbly white wine

Kendall’s Take
“Absinthe takes center stage here, and the cocktail doesn’t shy away from its signature herbal punch. Sparkling wine adds effervescence, balancing the spirit’s bold character while keeping the drink lively and intriguing. For anyone who enjoys absinthe, the Death In The Afternoon is a dramatic, conversation-starting Halloween cocktail with plenty of personality.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the publication Liquor.com.