Curiocity: Mike's Mix — Molly Pitcher Martini

Every Friday, Mike Augustyniak picks up a new cocktail recipe from a local mixologist. Throughout January, he's putting some pep in his morning step with breakfast cocktail recipes from The Freehouse, the brand new brewpub in the North Loop of Minneapolis. This week's selection introduces you to one of the hottest liqueurs of the last decade: St. Germain.

Ingredients
1½ oz. Grey Goose Cherry Noir
½ oz. St. Germain
¼ oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
Sparkling wine (Prosecco is preferred)
Garnish: Raspberry

Directions
Combine vodka, St. Germain, and lemon juice into a mixing glass over ice.
Shake well and then strain into a chilled martini glass.
Top with Prosecco, and garnish with a fresh raspberry.

Taste Test
St. Germain has been called one of the most influential spirits of the past decade and, looking at craft cocktail menus around the Twin Cities, it would be hard to argue. The French liqueur is used to gently flavor this vodka-based drink, which leaves it tasting less sweet than you might imagine. Still, though, in keeping with this month's theme of brunch cocktails, it's not as dry as your typical martini. Experiment with whatever fresh fruit you prefer for garnish.

About The Freehouse
"There are other brewpubs, taprooms and bars that serve only one brand of beer. But we are not that. We serve our beer side-by-side with that of our competition with the belief that quality and selection of our ingredients and the care and craft of our brewmasters and chefs will shine through in every batch we brew, every pint we pour and every plate we serve," their website promises. See Curiocity columnist Sara Pelissero's review of the restaurant's food menu here.

To find more recipes from Mike's Mix, click here.