Shifting Sands is a cocktail created by Sasha Petraske, the founder of one of New York’s most iconic bars, Milk and Honey, and one of the key figures behind the modern cocktail renaissance.
“Shifting sands” — dunes that are constantly moving and changing. Figuratively, it refers to an unstable, ever-changing situation.
What exactly Petraske had in mind with the name is unclear. There is nothing particularly “shifting” about the cocktail itself — except, perhaps, the melting ice.
Or maybe he meant something else: that this refreshing long drink is exactly what you need after walking across hot, heavy sand.
And refreshing it truly is. Light, not overly sweet, with a pleasant bitterness and a bright acidity — beautifully balanced. A perfect cocktail for a summer brunch.
Gin, grapefruit juice, maraschino, lemon juice, soda — a distinctly citrus-forward composition.
The gin should be bold and flavorful, something along the lines of Beefeater. Juices — freshly squeezed, of course. Soda is ideally grapefruit, but regular soda will do just fine.
Ingredients:
– 1½ oz / 45 ml London Dry Gin
– 1½ oz / 45 ml Grapefruit Juice
– 1/3 oz / 10 ml Maraschino liqueur
– 1/4 oz / 7.5 ml Lemon Juice
– Soda
Process:
Shake the first four ingredients with ice. Strain into a glass filled with ice cubes. Top with soda.
Garnish: Grapefruit wedge
Glassware: Collins glass
