Lonesome Catacombs

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Cocktail History

The Lonesome Catacombs is a modern cocktail that was created by Alex Sukopp, former bartender of Sips From Scripts, for a cocktail challenge. It was inspired by the music video for the song “Dearly Departed” by Shakey Graves, which depicts a couple’s self-destruction after a breakup. At one point, the artist’s ghost blends up a purple drink made of cough syrup and neon green liqueur and serves it to the grieving ex-boyfriend. To recreate this concoction’s color, Empress 1908 Gin is used as the base, flamed rosemary is shaken in, and all are mixed with Lillet Rosé, citrus juice, and simple syrup as a nod to the fire in which he ultimately meets his end. Plus, an added a touch of absinthe is used to help the delusion along.

Cocktail Ingredients

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

Butterfly Pea Blossom Gin: This is a type of gin made with butterfly pea blossom, juniper berries, botanicals, and alcohol. I used Victoria Distillers Empress 1908 Gin.

Lillet Rosé: This is an aromatized wine liqueur made in France with Grand Cru Bordeaux grapes, berries, grapefruit, orange blossoms, and water.

Lemon Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lemon. I used freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water. I made mine using this stovetop recipe.

Absinthe: This is a spirit made with anise, wormwood, fennel, botanicals, and alcohol. I used Great Lakes Distillery Amerique 1912 Absinthe Verte.

Rosemary Sprig: This is an evergreen herb.

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 citrus into slices or wheels. 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.

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Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Pale purple color

• Aroma: Woodsy smoke and lemon

• Taste: Tangy citrus and rosemary flavor accented with floral butterfly pea flower gin and Lillet

• Finish: Slight bitter and tart notes

Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: “I don’t know that I had tried a cocktail with such prominent rosemary flavor before this one, but it does a really great job of highlighting its unique herbal quality. What could be an overpowering ingredient ends up being the star of the show, while the other ingredients turn the drink into one that those with more underdeveloped palates like mine will especially enjoy. The Lonesome Catacombs is tart, tangy, and delicious!”

Recipe