Three star-spangled sips for July.
Written by Jen Laskey
As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Nantucketers are doubling down on their commitment to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If you want to indulge your unalienable right to enjoy delicious drinks this month (in the spirit of democracy, of course), our local bartenders, brewers and sommeliers have just the thing.
From an oyster shell-infused martini with a caviar “bump,” to a new hometown IPA and a quenching white wine from the country that gifted us Lady Liberty for our first centennial, Nantucket drink pros are serving up star-powered pours for people of all stripes. Cheers to them—and to you.
JEAN-BAPTISTE HARDY, FIEF DE CHAINTRE, MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE, MELON DE BOURGOGNE, 2022
($80/bottle at The Pearl)
Recommended by Christina Peterson, wine director, The Pearl
CISCO BREWERS, CISCO IPA
($8/draft, $18/12-pack to-go at Cisco Brewers)
Recommended by Kian Ross, Bartender, Cisco Brewers
THE FIFTH BEND OYSTER MARTINI
($30 at Billie's)
Recommended by Taylor Hoffman, bar manager, Billie's
One of the more decadent cocktails you’ll find on the island this summer is The Fifth Bend Oyster Martini at Billie’s. This Nantucket-inspired martini begins with oyster shell-infused vodka, which the bar team prepares by cleaning, boiling and roasting the tops of freshly shucked oysters before steeping them in vodka overnight. “It’s a labor of love,” said Taylor Hoffman, the bar manager at Billie’s. “But it’s easier than it sounds.”
This martini also takes a cue from the Vesper, swapping dry vermouth for Lillet Blanc, which adds silky sweetness and a delicate citrus and floral lift to the drink. Horseradish gives it a zesty bite. And then there’s the garnish, anchored like a sidecar to the lip of the glass: A splurgy little spoonful of caviar. The tiny salty pearls are meant to be nibbled between sips—or slurps—mid-martini “as you savor the slowness of summer,” said Hoffman, who suggests pairing The Fifth Bend with local oysters, Billie’s Simple Greens Salad, or the grilled Mediterranean Dorade. Or you could earn bragging points by batching The Fifth Bend at home for your next summer gathering.
INGREDIENTS
• 3 ounces oyster shell-infused vodka (or make it yourself at home*)
•1 ounce Lillet Blanc
•1 lemon peel
•Horseradish (½ teaspoon, grated, or a few slices of the root)
•Small spoonful of caviar (for garnish)
INSTRUCTIONS
• Combine oyster shell-infused vodka, Lillet Blanc ,horseradish and ice in a mixing glass or shaker.
•Stir until chilled, and strain into a chilled glass.
•Twist the lemon peel over the drink to release its oils,and rub it on the rim of the glass and discard.
•Serve with a small spoonful of your favorite caviar on the side.
To make the oyster shell-infused vodka: Scrub four to eight freshly shucked oysters until all of the oyster bits are gone, boil shells for 15 minutes to sanitize, roast for 20 minutes to draw out the shells’ minerality and nuttiness. Steep the shells in 750 milliliters of vodka for at least 24 hours, strain the liquid through a clean coffee filter. Store in the fridge or freezer.
