Maximilian Affair
Maximilian Affair is made with mezcal, elderflower liqueur, Punt e Mes and lemon in a bittersweet sour, served cold.
Built to the standard modern spec; not yet tested in our kitchen. How we test.
The recipe.
Scaling adjusts quantities only. Prepare shaken drinks in individual portions.
Let’s make a good drink.
Chill a coupe and prepare the garnish before mixing.
Add all measured ingredients to a shaker.
Add ice, seal the shaker and shake until the tin feels thoroughly cold.
Fine strain into the prepared coupe.
Squeeze a fresh lemon peel over the surface for its oils, then rest it against the glass.
A thoughtful finish
- Punt e Mes supplies bitterness as well as vermouth richness; keep that ingredient distinct.
- Keep opened vermouth refrigerated so its flavor stays fresh between servings.
- Chill the serving glass as well as the mixture so the first sip stays cold.
Common mistakes
- Replacing Punt e Mes with an equal pour of very sweet vermouth loses the bitter counterweight.
- Oxidized vermouth can taste dull or stale even when the spirit and measurements are correct.
- A warm serving glass quickly undoes the chilling achieved during mixing.
A few good questions.
What is in a Maximilian Affair?
Maximilian Affair is made with mezcal, elderflower liqueur, Punt e Mes and lemon in a bittersweet sour.
Can I scale a Maximilian Affair for more servings?
Multiply every measured ingredient by the same serving count. Prepare the measured still ingredients ahead if useful, but chill, shake or stir each serving as directed; add any carbonated finish at service.
Can I make this with an old bottle of vermouth?
Fresh, refrigerated vermouth gives a better result. If an opened bottle tastes oxidized or stale, replace it before judging the recipe’s balance.
Who created the Maximilian Affair?
The cited source credits Misty Kalkofen in 2008 at Green Street. The recipe-version note identifies any later adaptation.
Variations
- Another bottle of the base — Editorial bottle variation: use another producer of the same mezcal style at the listed measure; record the bottle rather than assuming identical sweetness or strength.
- Alternate citrus peel — Editorial presentation variation: try a different fresh citrus peel for the surface aroma while keeping the liquid formula unchanged; identify it as a garnish change.
Where it comes from
2008 · Boston, Massachusetts, USA · Misty Kalkofen · Green Street
Maximilian Affair is made with mezcal, elderflower liqueur, Punt e Mes and lemon in a bittersweet sour, served cold.
Sources
- Difford’s Guide — Maximilian Affair Cocktail Recipe (reference) link
Strength. About 1.22 US standard drinks at an estimated 21.2% ABV, estimated from the ingredients and technique, not measured. What that means.
A little character in every sip.
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