White Star Imperial Daisy
Created for New York’s 5 Ninth in honor of the posh White Star Line, whose ships used to dock at Pier 54, not two hundred yards from the restaurant. (Of course, the Titanic was one of theirs, so be warned.) Moët White Star champagne, with which the drink is finished, was created especially for the line. The arcane rules of drink nomenclature dictate that any drink topped off with champagne instead of fizz water is entitled to use “imperial” in its name.
2 ounces VSOP armagnac or cognac
1/2 ounce Gilka kümmel liqueur
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1 teaspoon rich simple syrup (see page 00)
To finish: 1 to 2 ounces chilled Moët White Star champagne
Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass; top off with champagne.