The Pink Lady: a cheeky nod…

Daniel Mason’s North Woods is a captivating novel about the power of place - in this case a yellow house nestled in an apple orchard - through the many people (and ghosts) who live in it over several centuries. As occupants come and go - from the young Puritan lovers escaping their community who lay the first stone for the house, to the arborist who plants the surrounding apple orchard, his daughters who inherit the land, and a slew of other seemingly disconnected and tragic characters, the house and its surrounding woods endure, silently bearing witness as each character leaves its mark on the house and its history. The novel is a rich, multi-layered story exploring themes of heritage, the American landscape, and the interplay between the supernatural, appearance, and reality. It’s a beautiful testament to the invisible links that connect us through nature and time. 

Our cocktail choice, The Pink Lady, complements the novel’s spunky characters and American roots. This vibrant and flavorful drink combines gin, lemon, grenadine, and American apple brandy, offering a playful nod to the book's themes and a wink to Mary and Alice's memorable dresses. 

The American apple brandy, a nod to the novel's orchard setting, adds a touch of warmth and complexity to the cocktail, mirroring the enduring spirit of the characters and the house itself. The Pink Lady is a fitting tribute to North Woods, a novel that packs a wallop with its depth of characters and exploration of American heritage.

This cocktail is modeled on The Cocktail Seminars by Brian D. Howfling, section 2.25 (The Pink Lady)

Glassware: Chilled cocktail glass

Ingredients:

1.5 oz London Dry Gin 

1/2 oz American Apple Brandy

3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice 

1/2 oz Simple Syrup 

1/2 oz Grenadine 

1 oz Egg White 

Garnish: skewered apple slices

Instructions:

Combine gin, apple brandy, lemon juice, simple syrup, grenadine, and egg white in a shaker. The egg white adds a silky texture and a frothy top. Dry shake (without ice) vigorously for about 15 seconds. This step is essential for emulsifying the egg white, creating a silky, smooth foam. Add ice to the shaker and shake again vigorously for another 15 seconds. This second shake chills the mixture while maintaining the frothiness. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass without ice. Note: Carefully pour the mixture over the back of a spoon to hold the silky foam layer on top. Garnish with skewered apple slices, if desired.