Photo by Bill Irvin
Snuff Mill’s elevated and herbaceous take on the Dirty Shirley puts an elegant twist on the trendy and simple cocktail.
Libation of the Month:
Don’t Call Me Shirley
Where to Find It:
Snuff Mill Restaurant, Butchery & Wine Bar
The Dirty Shirley, an adult riff on the alcohol-free Shirley Temple, is the trending cocktail in urban bars. Indeed, The New York Times recently printed the recipe, which includes vodka, grenadine and lemon-lime soda. In Wilmington, Snuff Mill bartender Jaime Camiso takes the libation up a notch with sophisticated ingredients that deliver an herbal edge.
The Don’t Call Me Shirley contains Tito’s vodka, citrus soda and syrup from Luxardo cherries—marasca cherries that put most maraschino cherries to shame. On top is a float of Amaro CioCiaro, an herbaceous, spicy liqueur created in 1873. Two Luxardo cherries are the finishing touch. Amaro—which means bitter in Italian—curbs the sweetness, and it’s the perfect flavor combination for a cool night. The glimmering ruby hue, meanwhile, lights up the holiday table.
What’s with the name? Surely you can’t be serious. It comes from Leslie Nielsen’s famous line in Airplane: “I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.”
We’re serious, too. Once you try Snuff Mill’s version, you won’t return to the typical Dirty Shirley.
Snuff Mill Restaurant, Butchery & Wine Bar
1601 Concord Pike, Suite 77-79, Wilmington; 303-7676; snuffmillbutchery.com
Related: Sposato Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Is Perfect for Holidays
