Roselyn

It's a little mysterious, the name. Roselyn could be the name of the inventor of the drink, or a famous drinker of the drink. It might be, and it's a stretch, a corruption of the name of Romeo's unrequited love. I like to think that the cocktail refers to the high-rise community in Northern Virginia.

(Roselyn as seen from the Potomac is a towering skyline West of Washington D.C.)

If indeed this drink is a shout out to this part of Arlington county, then I picked the perfect gin. Commonwealth Gin is a Virginia original made in Richmond. Is an American gin in its style--very far from dry British gin. It has an odor (an this might not be a bad thing) of ethanol and a funky and almost nutty or malty flavor that's more common in Old Tom style gins. I don't want to call it citrus-forward, because it's not, and the juniper is really toned down as well. It has a thicker feel on the palate, and feels like it is stronger than its 40 percent ABV. It really stands out and would make a nice sipper on the rocks. 

I also took this opportunity to select Mancino vermouth for my new dry vermouth. Mancino secco is an Italian dry vermouth that packs a lot of flavor into a fortified wine. The manufacturer lists sage, marjoram, oregano as Italian herbs that are added, and citrus, lemongrass, and pimento and nutmeg are some of the detectable flavors. When you use this vermouth with a subtle spirit, expect to taste it. 

So the Roselyn is a good drink depending on your ingredients. I really noticed both the gin and vermouth and lemon zest. What you won't notice is the grenadine. The portion is so small that it only affects the color and sweetens a little. You are not going to taste pomegranate. 

• 2 oz. gin (Commonwealth Gin used)
• 1 oz. dry vermouth (Mancino secco used)
• 1/2 tsp. grenadine
•  lemon twist

Combine all ingredients except lemon twist in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.