Earthquake

Tremblement de Terre (Earthquake) Cocktail

A fizzy, bracing French aperitif traditionally built in the glass and meant to be drunk quickly while it's still bubbling. The combination of pastis, grenadine and ice-cold sparkling water gives it a milky-pink, slightly cloudy look — like quaking jelly.

Prep

5 min

Total

5 min

Serves

1

Difficulty

Easy

Recipe ingredients

• •40 ml (1⅓ fl oz) pastis, French anise aperitif such as Ricard or Henri Bardouin; substitute with cold-diluted sambuca if pastis unavailable
• •10 ml (2 tsp) grenadine syrup, real pomegranate grenadine, not the bright-red 'grenadine' soda mixer
• •120 ml (4 fl oz) sparkling mineral water, very cold, plain — not tonic; Perrier is the classic choice
• •5 g (1 tsp) caster sugar, optional, only if a sweeter drink is wanted
• •1 whole ice cube, large, a single big cube so the drink doesn't water down too fast

Steps

1. 1 Chill a small tumbler or old-fashioned glass in the freezer for 10 minutes if you can.
2. 2 Drop the large ice cube into the glass.
3. 3 Pour the pastis over the ice.
4. 4 Add the grenadine (and the caster sugar if using).
5. 5 Top very slowly with the ice-cold sparkling water — pour down the inside of the glass to keep the fizz.
6. 6 Do not stir. The drink should look cloudy, pale pink and gently bubbling. Drink immediately while still effervescent.