To help you immerse yourself in the world of Dua’s Monthly Read for September – Bad Habit by Alana S Portero, a coming-of-age story about a working-class Trans woman in 1980s Madrid – we have teamed up with the city’s offbeat bar Gilda Haus to provide you with the recipe for their zesty Del Huerto cocktail and their Double Classic Gilda pintxo. ¡Salud!
Del Huerto Cocktail Ingredients
- Vermouth
- Cava
- Cynar
- Twist of orange
- Picked onions
How To Make It
- Grab a lowball glass and fill it with ice.
- Pour in half a glass of the finest vermouth you can find. (We recommend Gilda Haus’ Haus Vermouth!)
- Top it off with cava and give it a gentle stir.
- Mist the drink with a splash of Cynar. Don’t be afraid to go a bit “splashy”!
- Peel a strip of orange zest, ensuring none of the bitter white part is included.
- Twist the peel over the glass to release its aromatic oils over the cocktail, then discard.
- Thread three pickled white onions onto a skewer and place it above the glass to garnish.
- Cheers! Your vermouth is ready to savour.
Double Classic Gilda Ingredients
(For each Gilda)
- 2 Olives
- 2 Anchovies
- 4 “Piparras” (Pickled green chili peppers)
- 1 Skewer
How To Make It
- Spear an olive onto your skewer.
- Add a “piparra”, being sure to remove the stem to avoid any bitterness.
- Fold an anchovy fillet and place it on the skewer.
- Add two more “piparras” and repeat with another anchovy.
- Finish with one more “piparra” and an olive.
Note: Gilda skewers are traditionally meant to be eaten in a single bite. However, this particular version is designed for two bites, allowing you to fully savor the exquisite flavours of the best pintxo in Spain.
Another note: A key to the perfect gilda is using ingredients of the highest quality.
Further set the scene for your next book club gathering with a playlist curated by the author – discover the music that soundtracked Bad Habit here
