The original Farmer’s Cocktail calls for Gin, both styles of vermouth and bitters. Exchanged the Swiss Mount Rigi liqueur for the Gin. Hence the self-styled name with the Alpine reference.

Continuing to experiment with Mount Rigi liqueur, I took the original Martinez recipe and switched up the gin with Mount Rigi. The cocktail further haas Maraschino liqueur, Sweet Vermouth and Orange Bitters. This should be stirred vigorously instead of shaking hard.

Somehow, I liked this more than the traditional Martinez. I even gave it a name – The Swiss Martinez!

Well, that is a made up name. Recently, I saw this bottle in a liquor shop and I did what I would normally do if I did not recognize a bottle – I bought it! I had never heard of this liqueur – or for that matter any other liqueur from Switzerland, save the kirsch.

After some research, I found that this is a relatively new liqueur. Started in 2015 by two brothers who moved back to Switzerland from America, the inspiration of the liqueur is kirsch. The base is fermented cherries. But then it is distilled in copper pots with various berries native to Switzerland. And then proofed down to 20% with water. (The distillery claims Swiss Alps pristine lake water). Mount Riga in central Switzerland is surrounded by three beautiful Alpine lakes.

The drink closest to this is gin, as I could reckon. So, I had the first one with tonic water.

The nose is very floral and soft. Reminded my of elderflower and lichee. The palate alternated between the sweet of the liqueur and the bitter from the tonic water. The length was moderate.

I will give it a thumbs up. Nice to sip thru the evening. Plus you can have more since it is only half ABV that of gin!

(I made up the name – do not try to Google it)