Abigail fell for sherry in NYC but has since brought her love of our Spanish wine to her new home of New Orleans. She quickly became a staple in the NOLA cocktail scene and won NOLA’s bartender of the year in 2014. But enough from me, here is what she has to say about sherry.
Why do you love sherry?
Abigail: I love the flavor, the rich salty almond, the sweet raisin. I love how it elevates cocktails and it makes food explode with taste.
When did you fall in love with sherry?
A: I went to a sherry tasting at Louis 649 in NYC and first discovered there all the variety and deep flavor with sherry. But it was my time at The Beagle when sherry and I first fell in deep love. Probably the first time I tasted an Adonis.
What’s your favorite style of sherry?
Abigail: Impossible! Depends on my mood and what I am eating!! But I guess it might be Oloroso.
Who introduced you to sherry?
A: I was lucky enough to be surrounded by many sherry lovers from Dan Greenbaum and Matt Piancentini at the Beagle to Steve Olson. And here in New Orleans we have a straight up #SherryMafia that hosts regular events.
Who is your favorite person to drink sherry with?
A: I have very fond memories of enjoying a glass of Amontillado with Dan Greenbaum as we shut down the Beagle listening to some smooth Yacht Rock. Pretty perfect ending to a night in the East Village.
What is the best sherry cocktail you have ever made?
A: I love my Valentia, currently in the running for #sherrycomp15! I recently made it for a gentlemen who spent a lot of time in Barcelona. He told me they often have fresh squeezed orange juice for dessert. I never even been to Spain, but I guess the Sherry Jedi Force is strong with me!
Can we have the recipe?
Valentia
2 oz Oloroso
1 oz fresh squeezed orange juice
1/2 oz Averna
1/2 oz Hoodoo chichory liqueur
2 dash coffee bitters
shake and serve up in a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a spritz of orange oil from a small orange peel disk.
I pair this with our roasted banana zeppole with rum caramel dipping sauce. Its coffee and beignets, #SherryBroadyCity style!
Do you have any funny Sherry stories?
A: I love my fellow #Sherrybroad, Christine Jeanine Nielsen and her amazing tattoo: Tore up from the flor up! Ha! Now I need to come up with a similar genius sherry pun to tattoo on myself! Got any ideas?
Why Sherry Broads?
A: As sherry lover, there is always a fight to get sherry in the spotlight. As a woman in this male dominated field, it is yet another fight. I also like to position myself for an attack from the wine side, and I there are a lot of bad ass lady somms I’d like to get on our side.
A cocktail, especially a sherry cocktail, served by Abigail is a full experience. Her craft is not just in her drinks but in her presence, you can’t help but have a good time.
See what all the fuss is about next time you’re in New Orleans with Abigail at Compere Lapin.
