Chilled 100 Bartenders Cocktail Countdown to Bastille Day with Heavenly Spirits

In the spirit of Bastille Day, July 14th, Dan Cooney of Heavenly Spirits chats with Chilled about The French National Holiday and the Guerin French Vermouth gifting program with the Chilled 100 Bartenders.

 

 

Tell us a bit about celebrating Bastille Day in France. 

Well, I’d say “Bastille Day” is probably the biggest National holiday in France and like our July 4th Independence holiday, it lasts three days and takes many forms of celebration: from just a quiet day off, to family picnics, to community-based dinners and festivals. Participation usually starts a day or two before the fourteenth with good food and fine drinks, Fireworks and Fire Fighter Balls. (Yes, Fire stations across France host community attended “hoedowns” or dance parties. I imagine it’s quite practical to have the Pompiers (firefighters) readily available in case the fireworks get out of hand.) On the morning of the 14th many communities will host a parade, the biggest one of course is held in the center of Paris, with all branches of the military represented and the President presiding.

 

In America, we call it Bastille Day, in France it’s the 14th of July. Tell us the significance. 

It’s also known as “La Fete Nationale,” (the national holiday) which is a name that more accurately encompasses what the occasion is truly about, overall pride in the nation, its history, and culture. While the image of struggling French citizens storming the Bastille for their independence is based on historic fact, it seems to have evolved as a symbolic way for Americans to relate and remember the day.

 

Talk to us about the popularity of French spirits and mixing with French spirits. What should bartenders know about French spirits?

France is one of the leading producers of distilled spirits in the world, not only historically, but for the great variety and quality of their offerings. France also seems to know a thing or two about fine dining, and these two activities go hand-in-hand. When French people get together in the spirit of celebration, there is no shortage of delicious spirit options to drink and to pair with the fine food they will be enjoying. Bartenders should boldly embrace the great variety of French spirits that are available through Heavenly Spirits.

 

Tell us about the Guerin French Vermouth gifting program with the Chilled 100 Bartenders. 

Heavenly Spirits was thrilled to find and import such a high-quality line of Vermouths from such a storied and reputable producer such as Guerin. The quality of these vermouths is outstanding, making them ideal to serve both on their own chilled, or in cocktails with some of our other award-winning spirits. Working with the Chilled 100 bartender team seemed like an ideal way to introduce this vermouth line to bartenders across America and to challenge them to show off the delicious qualities of the Dry Red Vermouth, uniquely made by Guerin. These innovative movers & shakers of the mixology world didn’t disappoint.

 

One of the unique things about Guerin French Vermouth is that in addition to producing two classic white vermouths, and a wonderful sweet red version, they have also created something called a “Dry Red.” Tell us more about how it came about. 

The Guerin family takes pride in its ability to innovate. The long and short of the Dry Red is that it came about as a “Happy Accident.” in the process of making their first version of sweet red vermouth a few years ago, the Guerin master blender started experimenting with some dryer red wines in combination with the Pineau des Charantes Guerin is famous for producing. He liked one of the results so much he decided to add it to the line as “Guerin Dry Red Vermouth.” The rest is vermouth history.

 

Please check out this list of typical party treats that will be enjoyed throughout France during celebrations on Bastille Day, along with these fantastic vermouth cocktail creations from the Chilled 100 Bartenders.

Appetizers menu:

• Croque-monsieurs
• Pissaladière
• Saumon Fumé
• Pâté de campagne/moutarde
• Brie aux truffes
• Cannelés

 

We’re counting down to Bastille Day with the Chilled 100 bartenders must mix cocktails.

New Hampshire bartender Chilled 100 member Owen Wolfertz’s Royal Raspberry Cobbler is an amazing start to the celebrations.

 

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Royal Raspberry Cobbler

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Guerin Dry Red Vermouth
• 5 raspberries, plus more for garnish
• ½ oz. lime juice
• ¼ oz orange juice
• 1 oz raspberry-saffron syrup
• soda water (Topo Chico)
• mint (for garnish)

Preparation: In the base of a highball glass, gently press 5 raspberries against the base of the glass. Add ingredients. Fill glass with ice and top with soda water. Using a bar spoon, gently swizzle all ingredients together. Garnish with fresh mint and a raspberry. *Raspberry-Saffron Syrup: Combine 1-pint fresh raspberries, pinch of saffron threads ½ cup water, and ¼ cup sugar in saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Simmer for about 10 minutes until berries have started to burst. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature before strain through a fine mesh strainer. Refrigerate until ready to use.