Hans Gruber
Inspired by the cold, calculating charm of Hans Gruber, this cocktail blends German Kummel and dry Riesling with herbal and citrus notes to create a complex, elegant drink that mirrors the villain’s refined menace and hidden depth. (Recipe Below)
Inspired by the darkly composed mastermind, Hans Zimmer. His cool and complex demeanor along with his German roots prompted the use of the two spirits in this cocktail. First, Kummel which is a German spirit flavored with caraway, cumin and fennel giving the flavor a gently sweet, full bodied and fresh herbal flavors this matches with Hans as his true intentions are misunderstood and only revealed in the later part of the film. German Riesling was also chosen for its region, but also because it is a dry Riesling which matches with Hans Gruber's cold, dry demeanor. Lemon Oleo Saccharum, The Rhubarb Bitters, Saline and Lemon Oil from the expressed peel all deliciously support and bring out the flavors of the Kummel and Riesling. We serve this in a coupe glass without a garnish because we wanted to keep this clean looking, like Hans. For one of movies most hallowed villains, we think this is a fantastic cocktail that really embodies this character.
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Hans Gruber
1.5 oz (45mL) Kummel
.5 oz (15mL) Lemon Oleo Saccharum
Dropper Saline
2 Dashes Rhubarb Bitters
3 oz German Riesling
Lemon
In a mixing glass, combine 1.5 oz Kummel, .5 oz Lemon Oleo Saccharum, dropper of saline and 2 dashes of Rhubarb Bitters, fill with ice and stir for 2 minutes. Strain into a chilled coupe and top with German Riesling. Peel and Express a Lemon Peel over top.
Lemon Oleo Saccharum
4 oz (113 g) Fresh, Clean Lemon
Peels 4 oz (113 g) Cane Sugar
Combine Peels and Cane Sugar in a heavy duty resealable bag or resealable container. Muddle or massage until the oils start to release. Let it sit for 24 hours occasionally muddling or massaging every few hours. Strain out the liquid, store in an airtight container. Store peels in an airtight container. Refrigerate for longer storage.
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Golden Moon Kummel
80 proof/40% ABV
Maison De La Vie, Ltd.
An herbal liqueur that is mostly sweet, flavored with caraway, fennel and cumin reminiscent of sweet sausage. Deliciously paired with tree and stone fruits.
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German Riesling
8-12% ABV
German Rieslings produce a fresh flavor showcasing tree fruit and mineral flavors without the oakiness that is generally characteristic of most Riesling wines. Late harvest Rieslings tend to have a higher ABV along with acidity. German Rieslings are almost never blended with other varieties, and they are a major producer of cloned vines.
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Lemon Oleo Saccharum
Made with lemon peels and sugar macerating together to extract the oil from the peels. This results in a lightly lemon flavored syrup with no acidity. Peels from the saccharum can be sugared for candied lemon peel or used in garnishes
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Rhubarb Bitters
9 proof/4.5% ABV
Fee Brothers
Made with natural and artificial flavors, these Rhubarb bitters bring a lot of lingering flavor to the front of the palate. A light vegetal flavor with hints of fennel and a berry sweet scent. These bitters have almost no color or alcohol content so several dashes will not have any effect on the cocktail color bite or bitterness, which could be surprising for rhubarb.
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Salt/Saline
Salt is a great flavor changer. It can balance sweetness and bitterness, smoothing out a cocktail. It can also enhance citrus flavor and acidity without the need for more acid. It is most commonly used in rimming cocktail glasses, but a sprinkle in the cocktail shaker can really impact a cocktail. Make it into a saline solution to enhance stirred cocktails.
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