Much like the Wizard of Oz and Dorothy is the relationship I’ve had with Sarah Gore (@Sarah_Gore). We’ve been tweeting forever but despite good intentions I had yet to make any of the events that she diligently schedules for Denver natives. We’ve even talked on the phone yet I know she wondered if I was really real and so this past Tuesday, I decided to make an extra effort to arrive at the #twEATdrink event she had pulled together in downtown Denver.
I unabashedly admit I’m a suburban girl and offer no apologies for that. The effort to get to Sarah’s event is predicated by my schedule and getting out of my office before the rush hour traffic is in full on mode. If I don’t plan that well…well, then there is no point; stop and go traffic is one of the things in this world that drives me BONKERS. As it was, leaving at 4:30p resulted in an hour trip getting there for what is typically a 25 minute drive so the next time I’m taking my laptop, leaving at 2pm and doing some work with a cocktail in my hand to avoid a recurrence!
Tuesday was the day…the stars were aligned and the Wizard was finally revealed when Sarah and I finally met, in person, at Colt and Gray, a neighborhood pub on Platte Street that serves great food and drink in a comfortable environment. We met in the bar and Sarah was everything I expected…warm and friendly and surrounded by a circle of people for an evening of socializing with both old and new friends brought together by the magic of Twitter.
Sarah works with the establishment prior to our arrival and we were given a list of specials that had been ‘cooked’ up for us including cocktails, beer and some bar snacks. Kevin Burke, the Head Barman had done us well with three fabulous cocktails; the Applejack Sazerac with Applejack, Maple syrup, Bitters and Pastis; the Hanky-Panky Updated consisting of Dry Gin, Dolin Rouge and Fernet and the one I chose for my libation named the Cabaret Cocktail and engineered with Vodka, St. Germain liqueur, blackberries and lemon.
And I mean lemon…this is no rim of the glass or simple lemon twist; no, this drink has pucker power in the mix. For me though it was the lure of the St. Germain liqueur from France. I’ve only had one cocktail before with this elixir made from the elderflower and I was anxious to see how Kevin worked with it’s almost mysterious blend of sweet and citrus. Isn’t that the most beautiful bottle ever?
Kevin labeled this drink as refreshing and that’s true but I also thought it was beautiful. I think my daughter would love this but I know she might prefer it a bit sweeter so I can see making a lemon syrup with lemon juice and sugar for her version; just a bit of sweet to cut the tartness I loved. I’ll have to experiment some more won’t I? Don’t cry for me…it’s a job and someone has to do it!
I hope you’ll enjoy this cocktail with me and if you’re in Denver, follow Sarah on Twitter (Sarah is also the owner of STANCE, a customer experience management company) for the next event and stop in to Colt and Gray; I just know Kevin will hook you up! I mean…he gave me napkins, swizzle sticks and even the square glass I loved to help me recreate not just the libation but the ‘feel’ of a bar in my dining room photo studio.
Cheers!
A refreshing, tart and sophisticated cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 Fresh blackberries, divided
- 1.5 oz Vodka
- 3/4 oz Fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 3/4 oz St. Germaine Liqueur
Preparation
- Muddle the two blackberries in a shaker and then add a handful of ice to the container.
- Add the vodka, lemon juice and St. Germain to the shaker and shake for 10-15 seconds to thoroughly chill the contents.
- Fill a cocktail glass with ice and using a strainer, pour the contents of the shaker into the glass.
- Garnish with an additional blackberry on a decorative toothpick.

















{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
The first time that I tried St. Germain was this year in Savannah and I was completely taken with it, so I can’t wait to give this cocktail recipe try.
Tickled Red Most Recent Post: Butternut Squash Pie
caberet cocktail looks fabulous. love the presentation !
a spoonful of yumm Most Recent Post: Plum & Pear Salad with Kiwi – Apple & Crunchy Butterscotch Dressing
Thanks…could not have done it without Kevin’s help…and maybe a bedroom mirror. Which of course I can’t take back because I know I’ll want to use it again!
Elderflower liqueur is an interesting addition. I’ll have to try this one of these days.
Donna Most Recent Post: Stuffed Peppers with Lobster (mushroom) Sauce
I had never purchased St Germain before but I did love the taste…it blended perfectly with the other ingredients. A very refreshing drink for sure.
absolutely perfect cocktail Barb and gorgeous!!
SMITH BITES Most Recent Post: ROASTED PUMPKIN-GINGER BISQUE W/BRIOCHE CROUTONS
Thanks Deb; I am having such fun with the cocktails. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time but mobility or lack thereof made it hard! Now that I can hit the liquor store…look out!
Not just a great bar… but the perfect cocktail. I love it!
Brian @ A Thought For Food Most Recent Post: {Recipe: Tofu Scramble with Roasted Potatoes}
I know right? It was a very good night!
I love the flavors of St. Germain liqueur and would have selected the same Cabaret, too! Glad you finally made it to one of the tweetups, so you could meet Sarah and introduce us to Colt and Gray and this fabulous cocktail with us :)
Priscilla-ShesCookin Most Recent Post: Carrot Pumpkin; Sauce or Soup
St Germain has become so popular I could hardly find it but I persevered and got what I call an ‘airplane size’ bottle. It’s now a new favorite liqueur.
I am writing about cocktail culture for The Key Ingredient now. I hope you!, visit. I also added seasonal cocktails to your Happy Hour. http://t.co/jir3mGB5
Always happy to have you and your cocktails join me Greg.
Such a beautiful cocktail, looks refreshingly good. nice photos.
Ali Most Recent Post: giveaway: pumpkin whoopie pie pan
Thanks so much Ali. I loved the drink and one of the few times I actually liked my own photo, so your kind comment is much appreciated.
A beautiful cocktail, Barb! So creative.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme Most Recent Post: Lacy Cornbread
Kevin gets all the credit…mine is simply a re-creation…which he gets a lot of credit for too now that I think of it for providing me with napkins, picks and even the glass! I did have those perfect picks, the same that he used…it’s those little things that sometimes make all the difference isn’t it?
So glad that you were finally able to make the event Barb and it sounds like such a fun get together!! That cocktail not only sounds delicious ( I love anything with lemon!) but it is absolutely gorgeous!!!
Nancy@acommunaltable Most Recent Post: Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato French Toast
Thank you my friend…you know how we struggle with this photo stuff so I must admit…I was actually pretty happy with this one. I can’t always say that!
Normally I am a gin person but this sounds lovely. And it’s so pretty. Cheers, Barb!
domenicacooks Most Recent Post: Garlicky Lentil Soup with Carrots and Tuscan Kale
Thanks Domenica! I know I was first swayed by the eye appeal when it was served to me…glad I loved it too. I’ll sometimes substitute vodka for gin and vice versa…I should do a test. I like testing. :)
I think I just got a little bit tipsy looking at that beautiful cocktail! What a fun event – we need something like that in Utah.
Cookin’ Canuck Most Recent Post: Crostini with Balsamic Caramelized Onions, Melted Cheese & Sage Recipe
You have to start it maybe? I’ve been to other tweetups and have a food blogger group I meet with regularly…they’re all a fun way to meet folks with like interests in a very casual way.
Barb, I love these series. Cocktails to me are so grown up a genre on its own and I am far for being well versed on the subject or rum, tequila, and vodka not to mention brands. I always think when I grow up, problem is am already are. They are so sophisticated and I still feel like such a child, so thank you for this series and education, maybe I will develop some suave when it comes to spirits and such:) Have a wonderful weekend my friend!
So glad you are enjoying it Shulie. I am too…and now I’ve got more ideas than time to implement them!
I think we have some of the same cocktail glasses! Added in a link for this week, wasn’t able to get myself together last week.
Jo Most Recent Post: The Daring Cooks: Moo Shu!
Ah, I just noticed at the end, you got the glass from Kevin! Serves me right for not reading all the way to the end.
No worries Jo…I needed that help. My local Crate and Barrel store has them and I know I’ll be picking a couple up this weekend. Just love that square cut.
That first photo is so inviting and just gorgeous! Like from a magazine. You’re amazing, darlin’. Now how cool would it be if you could click your heels and have me show up there to try one:D Enjoy your Friday!xx
Lora @cakeduchess Most Recent Post: Pissaladière-French Fridays with Dorie
That would be, I believe, beyond cool…Sarah is Dorothy, we know the Wizard has no powers…so let me ask her about making that happen and I’ll get back to you. :)
I simply clicked my heels three times and you appeared. It was a delightful meetings with many more to come I am sure.
What a great blog post, Barb. Thank you for your continued support of the Denver scene be it from your “home” bar or in person.
And WOW, great recreation. Kevin will be thrilled. Hey, maybe he needs a new bar back.
Cheers lady.
Yes, and I need a fourth job. But thanks so much for pushing me a bit; glad it finally came to fruition and we got to meet…hopefully for the first of many!
What a fun night it sounds Barb! Love the essence of the bar you conveyed in all the photos. I too was introduced overtly to St. Germain this summer. Some friends hosted a ‘Dog Days of Summer’ party in August with a bartender positioned on their beautiful front steps whipping up a St. Germain cocktail. It was really refreshing and of course I was smitten with the bottle. Glad you had the chance to finally meet Sara after so long of being ‘pen pals’.
It was fun…I’m just glad that I’m not stopping myself much anymore from making treks like these. And thanks…creating that ‘bar’ was a real job which included bringing down a mirror from my bedroom. Soon I fear most everything I own will be tucked into the corner of my dining room!
I love elderflower anything. This cocktail has such a beautiful color. Just perfect for the season.
Karen Harris Most Recent Post: Dusting Off an Old Favorite Flavor Combination for Halloween or Bonfire Night: Company Red Chili and Orange Cinnamon Rolls Plus Cheesy Corn Dog Muffins
Heck I’ll bet you’ve picked elderflowers in your travels right? :) I love the color too…no one more surprised than me that blackberries made this beautiful dark pink color.
I agree with you, this cocktail is beautiful. So nice that you were able to meet Sarah in person finally and judging from this post, the traffic crunch was totally work working your way through to get to her event.
Paula Most Recent Post: Apple Pie with Pumpkin Spice Crumble Topping
That is a lovely drink! What a gorgeous color.
Cheers,
Rosa
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