Gin Cocktail "The Soothsayer"

Ingredients:

Cocktail

• 1 cube of white sugar
• 1 ripe strawberry, hulled
• 2 black peppercorns
• 80 ml of gin
• 15 ml pomegranate-balsamic sauce, recipe below
• 15 ml vermouth (preferably Dolin Blanc)
• Crushed ice
• 2 olives stuffed with blue cheese, for serving

Pomegranate-balsamic sauce

• 240 ml 10-year-old tawny port
• 120 ml pomegranate juice
• 120 ml balsamic vinegar

Preparation:

1. In a metal cocktail shaker, crush the sugar cube, strawberries, and peppercorns. Be sure to finely chop the peppercorns. Add gin, garnet-balsamic vinaigrette (see below), vermouth, and crushed ice to the shaker. Close and shake vigorously.
2. Double strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an olive skewered on a toothpick.
   
   Pomegranate-balsamic sauce:
   
   Pour the port, pomegranate juice, and balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until the liquid has reduced by just under half. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature before adding to the cocktail.