It took me longer than expected to make this cocktail. I was introduced to the idea of the cocktail while watching the Peacemaker television series by James Gunn.
I really wasn’t expecting much from it, as the Peacemaker character in the Suicide Squad was a singularly unpleasant guy, but I like the shows Gunn makes and I figured I might enjoy this one. I really did, and I gained a new found respect for John Cena, who is much more talented that I used to give him credit.
Anyway, in Episode 5 Cena’s character makes a drink he called the Peace Train as mixture of gin, vermouth, vinegar, peppercorn, a bit of maple syrup, and some yak butter. It isn’t very good.
Apparently, there is an actual Peace Train cocktail. I wasn’t able to find any references in my cocktail library of a drink by that name but a couple of articles I found online referenced it with identical recipes so I thought I’d give it a shot.
It sort of reminds me of a gin-based Brooklyn, and I figured I’d like it, but overall it was just okay. Being a booze-forward drink one would assume it should be stirred instead of shaken, but I followed the instructions and shook it anyway. It started off a little bitter, but as I drank it I started to enjoy it more, but then as I finished it that enjoyment faded a bit.
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 1.0 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1.0 ounce Calvados
- 1 tablespoon yellow chartreuse
Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into a glass.
I used my go-to gin, Broker’s, which I tend to use when trying any new gin-based cocktail, and Carpano Antica vermouth.
There is an interesting story behind the Calvados, which is produced by Le Chai de la Baie. At a recent work conference I ended up getting upgraded to a large suite. A friend of mine was having a whisky tasting and I offered to let him use the room. The next morning I found a half full bottle of this Calvados left in the room so I took it home.
Rating: 3/5