Discovering the Essence of France with Heavenly Spirits
To prepare for this National French holiday, we caught up with Dan and Christine Cooney, owners of Massachusetts-based Heavenly Spirits, which specializes in imported French Spirits, to learn more about this widely celebrated holiday.
Hello Dan and Christine! What can you tell us about Bastille Day and its significance? Is the 14th of July celebrated the same way in America as it is in France?
Dan: While it is not well-known in the US, Bastille Day, or as the French refer to it, le Quatorze Juillet, is a big deal in France. You might say it is similar to the 4th of July in the United States. It is a holiday celebrating French unity and pride, centered around the historic date of the “storming of the Bastille,” during the French Revolution. In the US, you will find a growing number of dedicated celebrations around the country, often put on by local French restaurants, Alliance Française or French consulates.
Christine: In our view, Bastille Day, also known as “La Fȇte Nationale,” is an opportunity to celebrate anything French or Francophone, especially gastronomy, wine and spirits. It’s no coincidence that France gave us words like gourmand and bon appetit, or the famous Michelin guide. On this holiday, France is an epicenter of exceptional food and drink; when night falls around 11:00 pm, each town and village will usually see its streets and squares populated with people waiting to have the “Bal du 14 Juillet.” Dancing and traditional music played by the town band turn it into a real party that’s accompanied by the iconic fireworks.
What would a typical French menu look like on this day of National pride?
Christine: Similar to the U.S. on the 4th, many French families would be planning an outdoor meal that might include meats or seafood on the grill, along with a range of fresh salads and desserts. Of course, every holiday meal in France starts off with an aperitif to stimulate the appetite. Typical summer aperitifs might include a pastis or absinthe (from La Muse Verte), a Kir Royal, or any number of specialty cocktails chosen for the day, which I will list below… and of course one could literally “Storm the Bastille” by enjoying a dram of Bastille 1789 French Whisky.
Aperitif Suggestion: La Muse Verte Pastis (slowly add water in the same manner you would serve an absinthe to create a louche. Sugar cube optional)
Towards the end of the day, after most of the eating is done, one might savor a digestif, which could easily be one of the many unique and famous French brandies, including: Armagnac, Cognac or Calvados. These are usually served neat in a tulip glass, but there is nothing wrong with adding a small ice cube if desired to tame the fire during the summer heat.
Can you tell us more about France’s relationship to spirits and distillation?
Dan: France has over seven hundred years of “official” distilling history. Armagnac, one of France’s three quintessential brandies along with Cognac and Calvados, was first mentioned in 1310 by Maitre Vital Dufour (a future French Cardinal), who wrote in praise of the beneficial properties of “eau de feu,” (fire water) as Armagnac was originally known. According to Dufour, “This water, if taken medically and soberly, is said to have 40 virtues… It enlivens the spirit, partaken in moderation, recalls the past to memory, renders men joyous, preserves youth and retards senility…”
France’s relationship to spirits goes beyond their consumption. Mention absinthe, and most likely, paintings of people sitting in cafes and consuming glasses of the green fairy by Degas, Manet, Van Gogh and others spring to mind. Spirits are an integral part of French culture, art, and history.
What are the Cooney’s planning to do to celebrate Bastille Day this year; any parades or parties?
Christine: We’ve actually been invited to spend the evening with a group of French nationals at the French Consul’s residence in Boston, where they will be serving our Bastille 1789 Single Malt Whisky, along with Cider Kir Royals, made with our Jules Theuriet Crème de Cassis and our Claque-Pépin Dry Hard Apple Cider.
Bonne Fête Everyone, et Vive La France!
Looking for ways to celebrate Bastille Day?
Try these delicious French libations as you toast French culture and savoir-faire.
The Kir Royal
This low-ABV cocktail pairs beautifully with cheeses. Swap out the Champagne for Claque-Pépin Dry Hard cider for a distinctly Normand feel.
Ingredients:
- ½ oz. Jahiot Crème de Cassis
- Claque-Pepin Dry French Cider
Preparation: Pour Crème de Cassis into a wine glass or champagne flute. Top with chilled Claque-Pépin cider.
The Pear Blanche 75
Created for Heavenly Spirits by French bartender, Marc du Jonchay, at BCB 2022 is a unique and summery take on the classic French 75 or as the French call it: “Soixante quinze”
Ingredients:
- ½ oz Noces Royales Cognac and Pear Liqueur
- ½ oz Delord Blanche Armagnac
- ½ oz Lemon juice
- 2 dashes Simple syrup
- Chilled sparkling wine or Champagne
- Citrus Twist
Preparation: Shake all ingredients except Champagne vigorously and pour into a Champagne flute. Top with Champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with a citrus twist.
Death in the Afternoon
Hemingway’s infamous boozy creation is the perfect amalgamation of French and American cultures. Hemingway’s classic recipe goes as follows: “Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly.”
Ingredients:
- 1 oz absinthe into a Champagne glass.
- Champagne
Unlike Hemingway, we suggest slowly sipping one of these while enjoying oysters or seafood. Try this with La Muse Verte Absinthe Traditionnelle, an original absinthe, whose recipe dates to the early 1900s.
Digestif Suggestions
Cognac – Jean Fillioux Cognac Grande Champagne VSOP Subtil & So
Armagnac – Château de Hontambère Ténarèze Armagnac XO
Calvados – Claque-Pépin Organic Vieille Réserve Calvados
The post Celebrating Bastille Day with Heavenly Spirits appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
