Today we are going to continue a special wine theme. But if last time a sweet and full bodied Madeira wine was utilized in a rare pearl by Charles H. Baker, now I will explore the other side – the driest and lightest Manzanilla sherry in a contemporary creation.
Actually the La Perla Cocktail was bookmarked while I was browsing ‘The PDT Cocktail Book’ by Meehan, Jim (2011, USA) for the first time. However this post was inspired by charming Courtney Randall writings.
Jim Meehan in his book confidently reports that the cocktail was named not in honor of the luxurious lingerie brand [as we could suppose] but a London bar led by Tequila Guru Tomas Estes. A date and place of birth were clarified successfully by the genuine creator.
The most exciting experience that I wanted to achieve with this drink was familiarity with my new passion – Manzanilla. Actually I am not a big wine drinker. Particularly, most dry white wines are completely not my choice due their acidity. But it isn’t so about Manzanilla. This wine has an excellent, perfectly dry palate without any sourness. Such a great palate with light floral, chamomille, nutty and fruity notes is exceptionally interesting.
Technically, manzanilla is a special kind of dry and light sherry – a special wine from Spain. Only wines that were aged in Sanlucar de Barrameda town can be named Manzanilla.
Thus, when I ran into this bookmark some days ago I imagined vividly how excitingly smoky, sweet and fruity tequila and light floral Manzanilla ought to play together.
La Perla Cocktail
45 ml reposado tequila (100% de agave only)
45 ml manzanilla sherry
20 ml pear liqueur
Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with a lot of ice. Strain into a cocktail glass or a coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Some words about the ingredients and preparation. I use Corralejo Reposado Tequila 100% de agave; cheap, but not bad, Don Pablo Manzanilla Sherry and Nannerl Williamsbirnen. The manzanilla has an amazing, very fresh and fruity taste with infinitesimal acidity. As far as I’m concerned, the cocktail requires very gentle zesting with a lemon peel. This is not a place for bitterness. On the other hand, quite small quantities of lemon essential oil bring marvelous freshness to the drink.
Wow! La Perla is an amazing cocktail. It has a light, pleasant and balanced taste with an exciting combination of fruity winy notes with a little smokiness. The palate seems rather dry but you should realize that I’ve been drinking an old-fashioned Martinez all last month. So, if you want light, not bone dry, quite the opposite to a sweetish aperitive, La Perla Cocktail is a good choice.
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