Mediterranean Inspirations: “The Heart,” a cocktail by Jo Last

British gastrobartender Jo Last of the Domino Club in Leeds took home the prize this year at Gin Mare’s Mediterranean Inspirations global finals in Ibiza, Spain. Jo won over the judges on the expert tasting panel with “The Heart,” a mixture of Gin Mare, rose and milk thistle tea, paired with a fruity pineapple cordial and tincture.

Aroma Analysis: “The Heart”

We took a look at The Heart’s aromatic links and found that Gin Mare’s unique blend of Mediterranean botanicals provide floral-rose, violet and spicy-clove links to Jo’s rose and milk thistle tea, together with separate floral-rose, fruity-pineapple, peach and citrusy-orange links that it shares with the pineapple elements. The pineapple also functioned as a bridging ingredient for the maple syrup with its caramellic, fruity notes. To finish, Jo served her cocktail in tall tea glasses with silk sachets that were filled with the key Gin Mare botanicals: rosemary, thyme, basil and Arbequina olives.

Jo Last claimed this year’s prize with “The Heart,” a mixture of Gin Mare, rose and milk thistle tea, and a fruity pineapple cordial and tincture.

A Mediterranean-inspired win

In the end, the judges were just as impressed with Jo’s heart-healthy cocktail pairing and lovely presentation as they were with her seared sea bass crudo with artichoke crisps on crostini. Congratulations on your gastrobartender win, Jo! We can’t wait to see what tantalizing new culinary concoctions you come up with next!

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“The Heart”  
A cocktail pairing by gastrobartender Jo Last

preparation

  • 50 ml Gin Mare
  • 25 ml pineapple cordial & tincture
  • 25 ml rose & milk thistle tea
  • 5 ml maple syrup
  • an Arbequina olive
  • a small sprig of rosemary
  • a small sprig of thyme and a few blossoms
  • a leaf of Italian sweet basil
  • a few rose petals

equipment

  • a tea glass
  • an empty tea sachet

Fill an empty tea sachet with rosemary, thyme, basil and an Arbequina olive. Set aside.

Combine the Gin Mare, the pineapple cordial and tincture, rose and milk thistle tea and maple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake again. Strain the contents into a chilled cocktail glass. Steep the sachet of herbs in the cocktail. Garnish with rose petals and thyme blossoms. Serve immediately.

Suggested pairing: Serve “The Heart” alongside a seared sea bass carpaccio with peas, fava beans and artichoke crisps over grilled crostini. Garnish with apple and basil-infused foam.

Learn more about Gin Mare’s Mediterranean Inspirations global finals in Ibiza this year.

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