Drink up: The Flying Monkey

HopMonk Tavern’s “Flying Monkey” was the big winner at the 15th annual Martini Madness at MacArthur Place that took place earlier this month.

Ten local restaurants and bars participated in the event, with bartenders creating cocktails (while it’s called Martini Madness, usually the only thing “Martini” about any of it is the glass!) using alcohol from local producers Prohibition Spirits, Hanson of Sonoma Vodkas and Spirit Works Distillery.

HopMonk’s “Flying Monkey” took home Best Overall Martini and Best Use of the Olive awards. They’ve got a good thing going – they took the top prize in 2015, too.

The cocktail, named after the flying monkey’s in the Wizard of Oz, use Uncle Val’s Gin (produced by local purveyor 3 Badge Mixology) and Prohibition Spirits’ FigCello, along with lemon juice, orange flavor, water, and black pepper simple syrup.

It was paired with a an olive deep fried in HopMonk’s Kellerbier and topped cajun cream cheese and bacon – it paired perfectly with the cocktail.

Here’s how you can replicate this tasty beverage at home – compliments of HopMonk Tavern!

Ingredients needed:

• 1 1/4 oz. of FigCello
• 1 oz. of Uncle Val’s Gin
• 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup infused with black peppercorns
• 2 drops of orange flower water (pick it up at Whole Foods)

Here’s what you do:

1. Combine all the ingredients
2. Shake them all up for 10 seconds
3. Strain into a martini glass
4. Consume

Or order your own at HopMonk Tavern, 691 Broadway, Sonoma | 935-9100 | hopmonk.com