"TheFrenchKiss" news and stories

A French kiss. Photo: LeNell Smothers.

Alabama-born LeNell Smothers defines herself first and foremost as a bartender, but she's been called many things -- most recently, the proprietress of LeNell's liquor store. She's owned her own whiskey label called Red Hook Rye and been recognized by her home state as an honorary Colonel. Other interests include gin, sin and men.

"How about a French Kiss?" I love to ask my dinner guests.

That usually gets someone's attention. One of the simplest, yet most delicious concoctions one can make to start off a party is a mixture of sweet and dry vermouths called a French Kiss. Vermouth is a classic ingredient in many aperitif cocktails, but many folks don't realize it's actually quite delicious just on its own with a few ice cubes.

If you are ever looking through old cocktail books and see "French" vermouth listed, it means dry vermouth. "Italian" in old books means the sweet version. (My mnemonic secret to help me remember which is which is to think of a "Dry-fel" Tower.)

French Kiss recipe after the jump.