Bitter Enemy

I threw this together on a whim, trying to incorporate some of my favorite ingredients. It's very bitter, pretty strong, and really not very friendly, hence the name. But here it is, all the same:

• 1.5 measures gin
• 1/2 measure Campari
• 1/2 measure dry vermouth
• Dash absinthe

Shake it with ice, strain, and beware. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, for irony.

Van Gogh

I recently discovered this cocktail at Carmon's restaurant in downtown Champaign, the first establishment in the area to carry Lucid Absinthe, made with genuine wormwood. It's the best (and as far as I know, the only) place in town to try this superb cocktail. The creme de cassis adds a touch of blackcurrant sweetness to the robust flavors of the gin and absinthe, for a very satisfying (and powerful) drink.

• 3 measures Gin
• 1 measure Absinthe
• 1/2 measure Creme de Cassis

Shake these ingredients well with ice, and strain into cocktail glass. Personally, I think a layer of ice on top is not objectionable, but that's at your discretion. No garnish necessary.