Nautical Gin Celery Gimlet

Nautical Gin embodies a spirit I can identify with - that of exploration and to never stop discovering. They searched the world to uncover exotic ingredients for this gin, one of which is a rare coastal ingredient called Pacific Kombu that delivers a subtle hint of sea salt. This special ingredient also the inspiration behind the name.  

This gin presents with aromas that are bright and floral - there's hints of juniper, rose, pepper and lemongrass. On the palate those juniper berries from Croatia lend exotic flavors of pepper and spice, while coriander seed from India delivers notes of citrus peel and sage. The Pacific Kombu is a sea vegetable / edible kelp imparting that subtle hint of sea salt and minerality, leaving you with a clean, smooth, refreshing finish. Overall, Nautical is a powerful yet elegant gin.

Nautical Gin is the perfect starting point for the classic lime based Gimlet cocktail. I thought the clean, refreshing and not overpowering vegetal taste of celery would harmonize with the gin as they embody similar qualities. To make celery juice I pureed two sticks of celery in a food processor and strained through a fine sieve. 
The addition of Green Chartreuse imparts a nice touch of sweetness and complimentary herbaceous notes. Then, there's the Brennivin - an unsweetened Icelandic schnapps or an aquavit - made from fermented grain and flavored with caraway. We discovered Brennivin while traveling in Iceland and seeing as how Nautical embodies that worldly, exploratory spirit, Brennivin felt like a natural pairing! Finally, this dynamic gimlet deserves a dash of Fee Brothers Celery Bitters.  
Nautical Celery Gimlet

1 1/2 oz Nautical Gin
1/4  oz Green Chartreuse
1/4 oz Brennivin 
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz celery juice
1 dash Fee Brothers Celery bitters 
garnish: sea salt + lime wheel  

Once you've made the celery juice, simply shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a frosted glass. I tried a couple variations of glassware and found it more enjoyable to sip this gimlet from a dainty, delicate piece. 
What transpires is a bright, herbaceous, citrusy cocktail that awakens the palate with a contemplative and distinct taste. The more you sip and become accustomed to all the flavors it leaves a soothing finish that lingers thoughtfully on the palate. 

This cocktail was created in partnership with Nautical Gin and is entered into a cocktail contest the brand is hosting.

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