The Hatter’s Box

The Hatter’s Box cocktail

As anyone with even the slightest knowledge of the book Alice in Wonderland knows, we are introduced to the Mad Hatter at a tea party where he is presiding. Naturally, any cocktail in homage to this insane anti-hero should be tea based or at the least have a tea infusion. For the classic Jabberwock cocktail variation on this theme I chose to infuse the classic gin base with an acerbic and wildly colorful tea, which seemed just right for this character. Hibiscus has a vibrant magenta pop and a tart bite to it. The best gin to use here should shy away from the classic London dry, juniper heavy style, which would overwhelm the hibiscus.

I’m mad about this one

I must be mad but I couldn’t stop there. In place of the sherry found in the original recipe, I used another fortified wine – madeira. Madeira is produced specifically on its namesake islands off of Portugal. It is distinct among the category of fortified wines (wines that have added distilled grape spirits to fortify / preserve them) due to how its historical trade routes, being shipped in casks through the tropics on route to international ports, effected its taste. The journey caused a heat aging reaction that is now replicated through a process called “estufagem”. Gesundheit! Like sherry, madeira can range from dry to sweet. I used the sweet Malvasia (or Malmsey, Doce) style here to compliment the acidic and tart hibiscus flavors. Put it all in a tea cup and ponder the eternal question, “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” – cheers!

An Insanely good pair

The Hatter’s Box

1 oz hibiscus tea infused gin

1 oz sweet madeira

1 oz Caperitif

2 d orange bitters

Stir ingredients together with ice and strain into a tea cup. Garnish with an orange peel hat.

See the entire cocktail series:

and explore the puzzle boxes too: