The Sake Vesper Martini (Sinister Romance No. 2)

The Sinister Romance No. 2 is based on Mary Heaton Vorse's book Sinister Romance, which was a series of Ghost Stories written while she was a patron of the original Golden Swan. The inspiration for the drink comes from Ian Fleming, who wrote the stories of James Bond, which features a Vesper Martini.

I kept the gin consistent using New York local Isolation Gin, distilled out of whey, and a super aromatic strawberry gin that almost feels like overproof soju. I embellished the vodka with sake using a highly polished Junmai Daiginjo from Niigata, and subbed out Lillet for yuzu sake. The drink gets its richness from an almond syrup and a touch of salt. — Andy May, head bartender at The Golden Swan, New York City

What makes the Sake Vesper work?

While a traditional Vesper calls for gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc, a combination of dry and yuzu sake adds a delicate, floral flavor to this classic, spirit-forward cocktail. At The Golden Swan, the recipe features three-quarters of an ounce of Awayuki strawberry-flavored gin as well as three-quarters of an ounce of London dry gin; while you should certainly use the former if you happen to have it handy (and enjoy the added red fruit notes as a result), the recipe is just as delightful by simply using a full ounce and a half of London dry gin. 

Orgeat is, without a doubt, the most surprising ingredient in this Vesper. It adds a pleasantly warming, nutty flavor to the final drink, which complements the sweet yuzu flavor from the sake (think: the pleasantly harmonious combination of a lemon and marzipan tart). A dash of sea salt adds briny balance. — Oset Babür-Winter