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Cocktail History
The Gun Metal Blue is a modern cocktail that was created in 2015 by Mike Shain and Nicholas Bennett at Porchlight in New York City, New York. It calls for a mixture of mezcal, peach brandy, lime, cinnamon syrup, gentian root, and blue curaçao, which is what gives the drink its brilliant hue and made it an instance hit at the bar when it was initially added to the menu.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Mezcal: This is a spirit made in Mexico with agave, sugar, and alcohol that is aged in an underground pit lined with wood. I used Creyente Mezcal Joven.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. I used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Blue Curaçao: This is a liqueur made with oranges, sugar, spices, blue food coloring, and alcohol. I used Bols Blue Curaçao.
Peach Brandy: This is a liqueur made with peaches, spices, sugar, and brandy. I used DeKuyper Peach Brandy.
Suze: This is an apéritif made in France with gentian root, citrus, herbs, and alcohol.
Orange Disc: This is the peel of an orange that has been cut into a circular shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Peeler: This is used to remove the garnish peel from the citrus. I used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Bright blue color
• Aroma: Citrus and smoky mezcal
• Taste: Fairly tart taste that mixes orange, mezcal, and touches of peach
• Finish: Lingering agave and citrus
Kendall’s Take
“This striking cocktail certainly lives up to its name with its bold color. The smoky mezcal pairs beautifully with peach, and the generous splash of lime juice keeps the drink lively and tangy, while the blue curaçao adds both citrus sweetness and visual flair. To me, the Gun Metal Blue was very refreshing and just a little bit nostalgic for the era when colorful cocktails were everywhere in bars. If you’re looking for something eye-catching and full of bright flavor, this one is a great choice.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was found in the book Mezcal + Tequila Cocktails: Mixed Drinks for the Golden Age of Agave by Robert Simonson.
Gun Metal Blue
Description
The Gun Metal Blue is a modern cocktail created in 2015 by Mike Shain and Nicholas Bennett at Porchlight in New York City. Made with mezcal, peach brandy, lime, cinnamon syrup, gentian root, and a splash of blue curaçao for its striking hue, the drink became an instant hit as soon as it landed on the menu.
Ingredients
Method
Add mezcal, lime juice, blue curaçao, peach brandy, cinnamon syrup, and Suze to a shaker.
Fill shaker with cubed ice.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Using a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer, strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with orange disc.
