Poésie cocktail recipe, a Pineau des Charentes poem

Pineau des Charentes, perfectly accompanied by its boozier partner in crime, in a drink characterized by simplicity and the utter beauty of a few stunning products.

 The last rays of sunlight gently kiss the rooftops of picturesque Cognac, a slight breeze announces the beginning of “l’ heure bleue” after a busy day.

 The French take their leisure game, indulgence and culinary delights pretty seriously. Same goes for Aperitif, be it a cloudy glass of Pastis, a fizzy flute of Sparkling or –yes, you guessed so– un petit peu de Pineau des Charentes.

Pineau des Charentes is a little treasure

The fortified wine, or rather fortified must, to be more precise, lives a shadow existence, in all honesty. Outside of proud France, this liquid treasure is little known apart from a few geeky booze nerds and bartenders. Even in God’s own gourmet country Pineau is more of a… well… let’s call it an “insider tip”…

Maybe that’s partially due to the lack of invention and truly uninspired way of serving shitloads of wine in a far too small glass, super-non-passionately put in front of the willing bon vivant. Why on earth would you be drinking THAT, after all?

Photo by ladolcevino.com

But how about pouring this wonderful juice into your shaking tins and mixing glasses? How about reconsidering Pineau’s role in crafted cocktails and creative cure-alls?

The options are endless. Fresh, light and zesty, served long with Tonic or Ginger Ale? Of course! Boozy, full bodied as a pungent little sipper? Works brilliantly! And everything in between? Pineau is your pick!

Here’s one stellar example of how brilliantly Pineau des Charentes works in cocktails – one of my creations to get your creative and saliva juices flowing.

Oh, and before I forget, of course it’s got Cognac in it (I do have a slight soft spot for that sucker as well), and of course it has a very frenchy-frenchy name. Sexy-sexy, right?

Poésie recipe

50ml Pineau des Charentes

30ml VSOP Cognac

2 drops Propolis tincture

1 drop Bergamot oil

30ml still water

Combine all ingredients and temper them to roughly around 8°C, pour the chilled liquid into a wine or nosing glass, and serve Poésie without garnish.

No strings attached, no garnish, no chichi, nor fancy throwing, flaring, shaking and stirring -just a delightful concoction, served in a most moderate, modest and inspired tasty way.

Santé, à la votre…