Garnishes! (and an original recipe)

Since we gave you the metallic gold of the Gold Star, let's introduce you to a second Parfait Amour pour. It's called the Nightfall on the Lake and it is one of the most asked about originals we've ever poured. The Nightfall is a true cocktail, meaning that it contains bitters. It is the bitters that silver the Parfait for a unique color. In addition, we use fennel fronds to complete its attention-grabbing appearance. I am not a garnish nazi. I believe in the maxim that all a garnish can offer should be offered, including its sight, smell, and taste.

Since Stiff wanted this recipe and a garnish primer long ago, I now give you both. With the classic big four garnishes - lemons, limes, cherries, and olives - Miss Charming gives great tips, cutting guides, and cocktail-garnish combinations, so I will not reinvent the wheel. Most of Miss Charming's techniques are already depicted in the Lounge photos, which are listed below for visual samples.

Lemons - Twists in the Honeymoon; long twist in the Imperial Fizz; swath in the American Dionysus.

Limes - Two cuts and a twist in the Summit; long channel-knife twist in the Mockingbird; wheel in the Blind Corridor.

Olive - Classic martini-style in the Dirty Vesper.

Cherries - Classically skewered in the Affinity and the Prestone.

Mint - Presented flower-style in the Grasshopper.

Cucumber - A wheel and sticks are presented in the Cucumber Mule. (Cut in the same fashion as Miss Charming cuts limes).

Now for the recipe!

Nightfall on the Lake

2 ounces Hendrick's gin

1 ounce Parfait Amour

1/2 ounce Cointreau

2 drops of orange bitters

fresh fennel fronds

Chill a cocktail glass. Crush fennel fronds in a shaker with 1/4 ounce of the Cointreau. Add ice to the shaker. Add the remainder of the ingredients and shake. Place a stack of fennel fronds into the cocktail glass. Pour the cocktail over the fennel and drink.