Michael's Passion

I want this to be a Saint cocktail. In my view, not enough saints have a cocktail named after them. Putting the name Michael and the word passion together just suggests a holy experience for the drinker, ala Bach's St. Michael's Passion. Instead, the cocktail is most likely named after some guy in a bar somewhere, as they usually are. The drink itself doesn't disappoint, however.

The spiciness of dry vermouth and gin in such high proportion really tamps down La Grande Passion's passion fruit bitter tang. That is alright, when the liqueur adds a balanced, sweet richness. The color, as you can see, is amazing, as well.

La Grande Passion is a French spirit that is no longer on the market. I made my own knockoff with real passion fruit, armagnac, sugar and chocolate.

• 2 oz. gin (MurLarkey ImaGination gin used)
• 1 oz. La Grande Passion 
• 1 oz. dry vermouth
• orange twist

Combine all ingredients except orange peel in a mixing glass with ice.  Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Twist the orange peel over the drink and drop it in.