Elton John’s Farewell tour is named after this song, and it’s one of his most classic ballads ever, so I wanted this cocktail to be simple, letting the flavor and appearance speak for itself. Something classic but not necessarily basic–it needed to match Elton John’s uniqueness while still paying homage to this gorgeous song. I landed on a honey brandy cocktail that’s just strong enough to make you feel something without being too understated, just like GYBR (are we seeing a pattern here?).
The song itself is a little bittersweet, being a truly powerful farewell. It’s poignant and brooding, with soulful piano and wistful lyrics that make you want to sip on a drink thoughtfully and almost nostalgically. The honey brandy is sweet but not too sweet, and the hint of lemon adds that tartness to mirror the rebellious lyrics. The song and the cocktail are both defiant in their own ways, and both are powerfully subtle–not flashy, not over the top, just impressive without having to try too hard.
Ingredients:
2 oz honey brandy
1 oz lemon juice
sprinkle of gold pearl dust
soda water to top
lemon garnish
Combine brandy, lemon juice, and luster dust in a cocktail shaker with ice and stir until combined. Pour into a glass and top with soda water. Garnish with lemon.
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