Milk-Washed Cocktails: Crafty & Crystal-Clear

(Photo Credit: The Scout Guide Sarasota)

“Lime Green Gin”
Milk-washed Plymouth Gin, green chartreuse, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, Aperol candy and a lime wedge garnish.

Fins had the pleasure of competing for the fourth year at the Sarasota-Manatee Originals “Set the Bar” Competition in Sarasota, FL! This time around, we competed in the Gin Category. Though we didn’t take home the gold medal, we had a blast standing alongside renowned local restaurants doing what we all do best.

The competition was tough, and each cocktail creation was stellar. The event benefitted the Child Protection Center, and it was an honor to support such a great cause. We’d like to thank everyone who came out to the event and voted. We hope you had as much fun as we did! And, we wanted to give a huge shout out to the Sarasota-Manatee Originals for planning, hosting and operating the event.

We call our house-made cocktail “Lime Green Gin,” which was crafted with milk-washed Plymouth Gin, green chartreuse, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, Aperol candy and a lime wedge garnish.

It was as bright green as its name and, yes – the Gin was “washed” with milk.

How does that work?

And, more importantly, what does that do?

Milk-washing is an age-old concept! It was often used in a classic recipe for “milk punch” in the 1700’s and 1800’s. Alcohol was mixed with the cocktail ingredients, then the concoction was added to hot, near boiling milk. Once the milk curdled, the mixture was strained in order to remove the curds.

Voila – a milk-washed cocktail.

Milk-washing results in visual clarification and overall preservation of the cocktail. The process removes most of the drink’s color and fogginess while it ensures that it’s protected from spoiling. The curds are what filter the cocktail, not what it’s strained through! If the milk-washed cocktail is stored correctly and kept cool, it can last for months.

During that time, alcohol was considered to be “rougher,” and milk-washing was able to help tone down its sharp – and harsh – flavor. When the process is over, the drink is much softer and clearer with a subtle milky feel to it. This is because milk-washing strips out the alcohol’s tannins, and tannins are what gives alcohol that jarring, astringent-like taste.

Today, milk-washed cocktails are not only a must-experience drink for guests, they make serving easy on bartenders – especially in high-volume and high-demand environments. For speed and efficiency’s sake, these cocktails can be crafted in large batches ahead of time and stored safely for future use. This also helps maintain the cocktail’s consistency, so each guest receives the same experience.

The next time you’re at Fins at Sharky's, ask for a Lime Green Gin and let us know what you think! We think you’ll love it. Fins is open daily for lunch (12 to 3 p.m.) and dinner (4 to 10 p.m.). We also serve craft cocktails, fine wines, locally-brewed craft beer and fresh, hand-rolled sushi from open to close! We highly encourage making reservations to minimize your wait time. Give us a call at 941-999-3467 or reserve your table online. If you’re in the mood for craft cocktail specials and lite bites, join us for our daily happy hour, Fins Frenzy, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.