This cocktail has the word ‘nuclear’ in the title so prepare yourself for a cold war in your gob.
Created by the late and great bartender Gregor de Gruyther who held court at the hive of skullduggery that is LAB in London, it’s a villainous mix to challenge the chops of the most accomplished drinker. With a kryptonite green tinge, its skull cracking power comes from the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, a 63% spirit promises ripe bananas and nutty sweetness, but mostly puts you on your backside.
Elsewhere, the beautifully botanical Green Chartreuse was created by monks but, at 55% abv, it’s a truly immoral addition here. Even the sweetening agent Velvet Falernum has an 11% booze count. Meanwhile, its name is a painful reminder of Nuclear Man, the shoddy baddie in the ill-advised Superman IV. It’s tasty, but comes with all kinds of danger.
Glass: Coupe
- 25ml Wray & Nephew Overproof White Rum
- 25ml Green Chartreuse
- 12.5ml Velvet Falernum
- 25ml fresh lime
Shake with ice and strain into a coupe. Garnish with lime zest.
Suggested by Tom Sandham, author of World’s Best Cocktails and creator of thinkingdrinkers.com
