by Marai Rataj

Created on: September 09, 2010

The Moon Landing cocktail is similar to the Moonwalk cocktail first mixed by Joe Gilmore, Head Barman of the Savoy Hotel (London)'s  American Bar in 1969. Invented in honour of the first moon landing, the Moon Landing was the first drink Apollo 11 astronauts had after coming home to Earth.

Get out your champagne flutes for this one, boys and girls. For those of us who like a bit more out of our drinks, a standard white wine glass works, too.

If you're looking down and wondering where Rose Water can be found, most supermarkets with a Middle Eastern or East Indian food section will carry it. Rose Water adds a complex floral bouquet, and soft taste to round out the acidity of the Grapefruit Juice and citrus flavour of the Grand Marnier. Rose Water can also be like lavender or any floral: potent to the point of overwhelming, so use caution and your head when mixing up the first batch. A bit of experimentation will get you a long way.

The Moon Landing has a delicate balance of citrus, bubbly grape and rosey floral, it's a perfect pairing for vanilla based desserts, citrus based salads, and light canapés with goat cheese or fresh basil. Mixing up a larger batch can be easier if entertaining, just figure out how many drinks you want out of it, toss the first three ingredients together, and add the champagne right as you serve. If you want to garnish the Moon Landing, try a thin slice of grapefruit peel curled into the glass. 

Ingredients:

3 Splashes Grapefruit Juice

1 - 2 oz. Grand Marnier

Up to 1 oz. Rose Water

Champagne

Tools:

Martini Shaker w/ ice

Champagne Flute or Wine Glass

Directions:

Take your martini shaker, and pour in the grapefruit juice, Grand Marnier, and Rose Water. Shake it up with some ice and pour into your respective glasses of choice. Follow up by filling the rest of the glass (until no more then 3/4 filled) with Champagne.

Serve, and enjoy responsibly.

Cheers!

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