Spanish Kiss

Spanish Kiss
(makes 1 large drink to share or 2 martini-sized drinks)

2 oz Vodka
3 oz Fresh Meyer Lemon Juice
1 tsp. Simple Syrup
1 1/2 oz Pedro Ximenez Dessert Sherry (PX)

2 generous pours of Ginger beer

Put first 4 ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake vigorously
pour up, top with ginger beer


Valentine's Day may be over, but you can keep the romance alive with this sumptuous drink after your next ceremonial dinner. 

This drink is form The Salt House in San Francisco and is again, one of those drinks that make you ponder the interesting blend of flavors. 

I discovered Pedro Ximenez on my honeymoon in Madrid. We had dinner at Zalacain, heralded at the time as one of the best restaurants in Europe. What we didn't know is that NOT ONE SOUL spoke English in this place. Before you roll your eyes, mentally chiding me for inexcusable philistinism, know that I grew up on the east coast and took French all through high school and college. I erronesouly assumed that my new husband, who grew up in California, would know enough Spanish to get us around Madrid. WRONG!  After a lot of pointing, an uncomfortable exchange, trying to explain we didn't want the 15-course meal that included intestinal treats, we were mentally spent.  The bright spot in the meal was our Sommelier.  He was charming, with his silver necklace tasting cup draped proudly around his neck and he gave us plenty of gracious smiles.  And more importunity, he introduced us to Pedro Ximenez after dinner. I was transported, away from the overly-served fried ham balls that we had been served at every tapas place across the city.  Oh! THIS! This sherry drifted me, and my mouth, to some happy Spanish netherworld of consciousness, as the rich, sweetly luxurious liquid slid off my tongue and down my throat.  I had never tasted anything like it. The sherry is made by drying the grapes in the hot sun, concentrating the sugar.  Vin Santo, Amarone  and other straw method wines dry the fruit on matts in the sun to achieve that dark, prune fruit.  This is just another lovely example of the treasures the earth and sun produce for our drinking pleasure. 

When my mom was visiting we made a flan and drank with the PX that my friend Virgie gave me. Perfect pairing.  So when you buy a bottle, make a Spanish Kiss, then make a flan the next day and enjoy the rest of the bottle. 

WARNING: May cause conception


"If penicillin can cure those that are ill, Spanish sherry can bring the dead back to life." 
- Sir Alexander Fleming

Cheers!