Friday, February 4, 2011

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Martini

                                                                                      Photograph by Shawn Soole

This drink, called Cold Night In, was created my Aussie bartender Shawn Soole which he calls the grown-up cocktail equivalent of a “toastie” (Australian for a grilled sandwich) and tomato soup.

He creates cheese washed rum by making a grilled cheese sandwich with the best ingredients, cut into slices, place in a Mason jar and cover with rum. Let this mixture sit overnight.

Strain the mixture, squeeze the rum out of the sandwich slices and freeze for a few hours to congeal any remaining fat. Strain again through a cheesecloth.

To make the drink:

Mix 4 slightly-roasted cherry tomatoes with basil and salt.

Add 2 ounces of cheese-washed rum

Add 1/2 ounce of Lillet Blanc, along with a dash of celery bitters.

Dry stir, then stir with ice.

Double strain the cocktail and garnish with basil or tomato section

Finish with a dash of Glenfiddich.

Bon Appetit!

Clive’s Classic Lounge, Chateau Victoria Hotel, 740 Burdett Avenue, Victoria, British Columbia