Berliner

That's not the U.S. Capitol Building in the background, that's the Reichstag in Berlin! That is because this cocktail is the German capital's namesake. I thought it fitting to use a German gin like Monkey 47, and I wasn't disappointed. It is dry and loaded with botanicals to keep things interesting in what is basically a Gin Sour with a German bent.

Kummel, the other signature ingredient, is a sweetened neutral spirit flavored with caraway and other herbs and spices. It is the sweetener in this drink and you must use a sweet variety of kummel or the cocktail will be too acidic. Even with my sweet honey kummel, I still felt I needed to add a dash more to balance the lemon juice--it wasn't because I love kummel and drink it by itself. Okay, I do love kummel and drink it by itself, but you should adjust this recipe for taste as I did.

• 1 1/2 oz. gin (Monkey 47 gin used)
• 1/2 oz. kummel (homemade used)
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. dry vermouth

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.