We continue our celebration of Women's History Month with the Blue Devil, a cocktail created by Amsterdam-based bartender and hospitality consultant Tess Posthumus.
Posthumus, who is widely regarded as one of the world's leading bartenders, is a mixologist with a mission: to create a true cocktail culture in the Netherlands. In 2017, Posthumus and Timno Janse opened Flying Dutchmen Cocktails, which focuses on (neo)classic cocktails and education for bartenders and drink enthusiasts. In 2020, the duo opened a second bar called Dutch Courage as an ode to genever and old-Dutch liqueurs. The bar features 150 different genevers and a variety of genever-based cocktails.
Dutch cocktail culture is in its infancy, according to Posthumus. Where other nations are experiencing an international renaissance in mixology, the Netherlands never had a golden age of cocktails (preferring beer, wine, genever, and liqueurs served straight up). Flying Dutchmen Cocktails looks aboard for inspiration, techniques and recipes to teach Dutch bartenders and customers "how to walk, run, and eventually fly through the world of cocktails."
The Blue Devil is a perfect illustration of Posthumus' philosophy and approach to bartending. The cocktail is a contemporary riff on the classic Aviation that uses two Dutch originals — genever and blue Curaçao — to give the Blue Devil its distinct flavor profile and vibrant color. If you have difficulty locating genever, you can substitute a London Dry gin.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz genever
¾ oz maraschino
¼ oz blue Curaçao
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain with fine strainer into a coupe and garnish with a brandied cherry.
Comments