We have a tendency to create strange combo cocktails.
The Jetsetter Zintini is one of our favorites.
However, it is not so strange anymore.
We serve it as a specialty cocktail for friends who always ask for it.
Gordon and Papa
We thank Gordon Ramsay and Ernest Hemingway. We think if they lived at the same time, they would’ve been good, drinking buddies.
The Zintini idea was hatched at Gordon Ramsay Steak in the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.
Bartender Liz Cooper combined whisky and pinot noir in a cocktail and our mixology juices were cooking.
We wanted a different, richer red wine combo.
The wine we wanted was an easy choice. We chose the Zinfandel because it has a fruity, jammy, earthy taste.
The best Zinfandel complement was bourbon with its rich, sweet, creamy, and vanilla taste.
We mixed them up and gave it a try.
Not bad, but…
Something Was Missing
So, we called on Papa Hemingway.
And it was good.
Papa was screaming, “Maraschino!”
The Italian liqueur Maraschino is centuries-old, made from Marasca cherries.
It has a complex taste that is semi-sweet, nutty, with some floral.
Papa used it in his famous Hemingway Daiquiri to give it a sophisticated depth.
And we think it does the same for the Zintini.
As you will see in the video recipe below, we recommend only a small amount of Maraschino. It is very strong, and can easily steal the combo of the bourbon and the Zinfandel.
Don’t be afraid to adjust.
We think this will be a cocktail taste you have never had before.
Normally you wouldn’t take a sniff of a Martini or a Manhattan, but with the Zintini you should.
Zintini Best When?
You can easily drink this year-round but we lean toward the cold weather months.
We also think it’s pretty versatile. You could easily have it is a pre-dinner cocktail, or as a nightcap.
And it works great with a wide array of food.
- Charcuterie board: The Zintini’s complex flavor profile pairs well with meats like prosciutto, salami, and cured ham, as well as cheeses like gouda or brie.
- Grilled meats: The bourbon in the Zintini makes it a great pairing for steak, pork chops, or lamb.
- Dark chocolate: which has a similar flavor profile.
- Spicy foods: The Zintini stands up to spicy foods like buffalo wings, tacos, or curry dishes.
- Desserts: The Zintini’s complex flavors pairing perfectly with chocolate cake, cheesecake, or crème brûlée.
However you have it, we think this will be a go-to for many of you.
Susan Anzalone and John Daly are the Co-Creators and Co-Hosts of Undercover Jetsetter, a show on travel, food, wine, mixology and golf. They show you how to jet set the world and at home. They also co-authored the book, The TV Studio In Your Hand: How to Shoot, Edit & Deliver the Easy Way on Your iPhone. Join them for tips and hacks on the road, at home, or in the kitchen. Yes, as you will see, all on the iPhone.