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Cocktail History
The Love & Murder is a modern cocktail that was created by bartender Nick Bennett at Porchlight in New York City, New York. It uniquely combines Campari and Green Chartreuse, which are two of the most divisive liqueurs in the world, as the base in equal parts, and it pairs them with sour citrus, simple syrup, and salt to create a savory yet sweet recipe. Although it could be interpreted as a nod to the ingredients, the drink was named for the broadway play The Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder because Bennett knew the Broadway actors who frequent the bar would enjoy the reference.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Campari: This is a liqueur made in Italy with gentian root, rhubarb, citrus, herbs, aromatic plants, fruit, and alcohol.
Green Chartreuse: This is a liqueur made in France with over a hundred herbs and plants, spices, sugar, and alcohol.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. I used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water. I made mine using this stovetop recipe.
Saline Solution: This is a solution made with five to one kosher salt and water.
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.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Alluring orange-red color
• Aroma: Herbs and citrus
• Taste: Sweet yet bitter orange notes, blended herbs, and tart lime
• Finish: Lingering bitterness
Kendall’s Take: “I never, ever thought I’d be using the words ‘Campari’ and ‘overly sugary’ in the same sentence, but here we are. I was intrigued the first time I came across the Love & Murder because I had no clue what to expect of a Campari and Green Chartreuse drink. Since I wanted to try something more serious alongside a few other kitschy Valentine’s Day cocktails, I added it to my calendar, and I’m quite glad I made it. It’s bizarre how sweet the drink ends up being given the bitterness of the Italian liqueur, but it’s still quite tasty. I don’t know if I’d make it with these exact specifications again, but it’s worth trying as a starting point.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was found in the publication Liquor.com.
Love & Murder
Description
The Love & Murder is a modern cocktail that was created by bartender Nick Bennett at Porchlight in New York City, New York. It uniquely combines Campari and Green Chartreuse, which are two of the most divisive liqueurs in the world, as the base in equal parts, and it pairs them with sour citrus, simple syrup, and salt to create a savory and sweet recipe. Although it could be interpreted as a nod to the ingredients, the drink was named for the broadway play The Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder because Bennett knew the Broadway actors who frequent the bar would enjoy the reference.
Ingredients
Method
Add Campari, Green Chartreuse, lime juice, simple syrup, and saline solution to a shaker.
Fill shaker with cubed ice.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Using a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer, strain into a coupe glass.
