Whew….! Death, judgment, heaven, and hell—all along with the bombast of the arguments over Christian Universalism. (The weight of the whole affair makes me use the image from Hieronymous Bosch above—sobering indeed!) A slightly lighter and semi-fruitier beverage is here provided, in light of the weighty panel discussion I had tonight on Reason and Theology. It is an adaptation of the Negroni. I based it on a drink called the Contessa, but I will call it “Farewell to Patrick,” in honor of my brother-in-law, who gave me the aperitif, Ambrosia, used in the cocktail. (He and his wife are relocating for work, so I tip my glass to their new adventure!)
Mix the following in a shaker filled with ice
1 oz. Gin (I used Beefeater to push back against the sweetness of the Ambrosia)
1 oz. Ambrosia (An aperitif by the DC distillery, Don Ciccio & Figli; this replaces the Aperol called for by the Contessa)
1 oz. Dry Vermouth (I just used Martini and Rossi)
Garnish with a lemon twist in a rocks glass, with a single big ice cube if possible