By Sandra Scott

After a crisp afternoon walk on the trails of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, I returned to the Inn at Mystic in historic Mystic, CT, ready to relax and enjoy dinner in the award-winning Flood Tide Restaurant. Deborah Eslton welcomed us with her usual warm smile and asked, “What would you like to drink this evening?” “What is your signature cocktail?” I asked. Deborah paused and said, “We don’t have one?”

“Well, we will have to rectify that! A place with all this history and ambiance needs to have a signature drink.”

Deborah offered, “I am sure Malcolm, our bartender, can create whatever you want.”

“Great! Tell Malcolm, I love amaretto.”

Before I could say Disaronno my newly created cocktail arrived – Mystic Mist, the new signature cocktail of the Inn at Mystic. My dinner partner took one look at the golden libation and said, “That is the most beautiful color—like amber.”

Creating a cocktail starting with amaretto, an almond liquor, was a challenge but Malcolm Cameron rose to the occasion. He explained, “I started with a half ounce of good amaretto - Disaronno, added two and a half ounces of Stoli Vanilla Vodka for smoothness, and then a half ounce of Frangelico for a little nuttiness.

Deborah, keeping a close eye on the process, said “I think it needs to be chilled a bit and shaken.” And, so it was.

The next big decision was the garnish.  An olive and onion were quickly ruled out, and a citrus accent didn’t seem right, but a dark brown cinnamon stick seemed just right.

Mystic Mist is a hint of warm sunshine through the mist of the sea fog. After a walk in the woods, with the fire crackling in the fireplace, the golden amber of the Mystic Mist warmed my body and soul.

Just when it seemed that life could never get better, Jack Texeira, the sous chef, arrived at our table to offer suggestions for dinner. And what a dinner it was: Classic Caesar Salad prepared at the table, Wolf’s Neck Farm Naturally Raised Filet Mignon cooked on the Flood Tide’s new wood fired oven direct from France, and ended with Bananas Flood Tide, flamed at the table.

After dinner I walked back to my room through a snow-lobe world planning my next visit to Mystic. Of course, sipping on a Mystic Mist cocktail is just one reason to visit the Inn at Mystic.  The Inn at Mystic is the only inn with a view of Mystic Harbor and Long Island Sound. For more information on historic Mystic and the Inn at Mystic check www.innatmystic.com.

©CocktailAtlas.com

Contact Us: Editor Webmaster