Taylor Swift is the pop star of the moment. 279 million people follow the singer on Instagram. The fans go so crazy at their concerts that they sometimes trigger earthquakes. Swift’s life has become a kind of global commons, with many using what she says and does as a blueprint for shaping their own lives. The singer is a true trendsetter. Since Megan Garrelts, pastry chef and co-owner of a Kansas restaurant where Swift recently visited with her entourage, told Page Six that Swift ordered the “French Blonde,” which she said was “her favorite cocktail,” the drink is experiencing a peak in popularity.
French Blonde is a more summery drink. It contains gin, the aperitif Lillet, St. Germain elderflower liqueur and grapefruit juice. It tastes fresh, floral and fruity. It is unclear exactly when the cocktail was invented and from whose creative spirit it arose. Some attribute the invention to a Paris bartender who is said to have created it in the 1920s as a “lighter” version of the French 75, a gin drink made with champagne, lemon juice and simple syrup.
Since the color of the French Blonde resembled the golden hair of a French woman, the barman called the cocktail French Blonde. It is also possible that the cocktail, even if the name suggests otherwise, was invented in New York in the 1950s as a modernized French 75. It is said to have spread around the world from the Big Apple.
Whoever invented the French Blonde, it’s likely that demand will be at a peak in the near future. By the way, the choice of cocktail is quite unusual for Swift. Until now she had always talked about her favorite drink being Diet Coke and Vodka.
60 ml Lillet Blanc60 ml fresh grapefruit juice30 ml dry gin15 ml elderflower liqueur3 dash of lemon bitters
You don’t have to be a trained bartender to prepare it. Simply put all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds, pour into the glass – done. Sources: Page Six, Washington Post, Lillet, Mixology
