"I exercise self-control and never touch a beverage stronger than gin before breakfast."
A Bloodhound is a bright red strawberry cocktail made with gin, vermouth and strawberry coulis. The drink was at its most fashionable in London in the 1920s. A lesser-known variation with raspberries instead of strawberries is called a Halsdon.
W. C. Fields
Now for a little poetic cocktail licence! I love gin and vermouth and of course together they make a fabulous martini but they are not to everyone's taste when laid bare in a cocktail. I liked the idea of a classic Bloodhound with it's bright red strawberries but I don't like tooth shockingly sweet cocktails. They loose some of their sophisticated appeal if they taste too sweet.
So this is my subtle remake of the Bloodhound. It has all the punch of a martini but with a softer edge.
BLOODHOUND WITH A TWIST
2 parts gin
1 part vermouth
Juice of 1/2 lime
6 frozen cherries
handful of ice
*Place everything in a shaker and vigorously give it a shake. Strain into a glass and retrieve the cherries from the shaker. Place the cherries into the bottom of your drink and enjoy them once the drink is gone. (I also think the gin soaked cherries would be good on ice cream)
