The Sternwood Cocktail
I've finally had one. The recipe comes from The Big Sleep, when Bogart meets General Sternwood in the conservatory, and the General says he used to like champagne "as cold as Valley Forge" with three ponys of brandy in it. The first time I saw the movie with El Husband, we resolved to try it. Maybe for an anniversary celebration? Well, our 10th, 20th, and 30th came and went. Then the other day I threatened to put it on my bucket list.
No doubt the General's champagne and brandy were both of the fine French variety, but then again in the General's day California wines weren't world-class. Our Sternwood Cocktail was a New World version, and all I can say is, it was very very good. Dare to try it.
Oh, except that 3 ponys of brandy would be 3 ounces, which we thought would warm the champagne too much (as well as being hella strong), so we used one shot. The General would probably object.
No doubt the General's champagne and brandy were both of the fine French variety, but then again in the General's day California wines weren't world-class. Our Sternwood Cocktail was a New World version, and all I can say is, it was very very good. Dare to try it.
Oh, except that 3 ponys of brandy would be 3 ounces, which we thought would warm the champagne too much (as well as being hella strong), so we used one shot. The General would probably object.