Pisang Ambon, a banana-and-herb liqueur, gives Avalon both its distinctive vibrant hue and a tropical undercurrent, set against vodka, apple and lemon juices, and a top of lemonade. The components are layered over ice in a tall glass and stirred, yielding a complex multi-fruit profile. At roughly 9 percent alcohol by volume, the drink is lightly alcoholic and visually striking, with the green liqueur defining its appearance. The apple and lemon supply sweetness and acidity in turn, while the lemonade adds effervescence and a finishing sweetness to the fruit-driven build.
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Avalon
المكونات
- Vodka 3 parts
- Pisang Ambon 1 part
- Apple Juice 6 parts
- Lemon Juice 1 1/2 part
- Lemonade Fill
التعليمات
Fill a tall glass with ice. Layer the Finlandia Vodka, lemon and apple juices, Pisang Ambon, and top up with lemonade. Stir slightly and garnish with a spiralled cucumber skin and a red cherry. The cucumber provides zest and looks attractive. This drink, created by Timo Haimi, took first prize in the 1991 Finlandia Vodka Long Drink Competition.
Avalon is a fruity and refreshing highball that layers vodka and the tropical banana-herb flavor of Pisang Ambon with apple and lemon juices, topped up with lemonade for a bubbly, sweet finish. At 9.16% ABV, it is a lightly alcoholic and visually striking drink with a complex multi-fruit profile. The Pisang Ambon's distinctive green color gives Avalon its characteristic vibrant hue.
History & Origins
Avalon takes its name from the mythical island of Arthurian legend, evoking a sense of an otherworldly paradise — an appropriate choice for a colorful, tropical-inspired drink. The cocktail's origin is disputed, though its use of Pisang Ambon, a Dutch banana liqueur, suggests European cocktail bar culture of the 1980s and 1990s. The combination of multiple juices, lemonade, and a brightly colored liqueur is characteristic of the elaborate long drinks of that era.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Tropical banana from the Pisang Ambon, fresh apple, lemon, and the light sweetness of lemonade. Palate: Sweet and fruity with banana and apple flavors leading, brightened by lemon juice's tartness; vodka provides a clean spirit base and lemonade adds a sparkling sweetness. Finish: Clean, refreshing, and moderately sweet.
Pro Tip
Fill the glass with ice before building the drink, adding each ingredient in order and stirring gently before topping with lemonade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pisang Ambon and how does it affect the Avalon cocktail?
Pisang Ambon is a Dutch green banana liqueur with a distinctively sweet, tropical banana flavor and vivid green color. In the Avalon cocktail, it contributes both the unusual green hue and a tropical banana note that complements the apple and lemon juices.
What does the Avalon cocktail taste like?
The Avalon offers a tropical, fruit-forward flavor profile combining banana from the Pisang Ambon, green apple tartness, lemon citrus, and the clean neutrality of vodka, all topped with lemonade. At around 9% ABV, it is a refreshing, sweet cocktail suitable for casual sipping.
How is the Avalon cocktail served?
The Avalon is typically built or shaken and served over ice in a highball or rocks glass, then topped with lemonade to add effervescence. The striking green color from the Pisang Ambon makes it visually distinctive, often garnished with a lemon slice or apple fan.
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