Flirting with The Green Devil

Last week on a warm summer’s night, guests gathered in a beautiful West Village townhouse to flirt with the green devil at a private culinary event hosted by Le Tourment Vert, an authentic French absinthe produced by Distillerie Vinet Ege near the town of Cognac. For members of the press, cocktail enthusiasts, food bloggers and the city’s bon vivants, the exclusive tasting was an evening filled with sultry absinthe cocktails paired with the creative menu of chef Stefan Richter of Top Chef fame.

When asked about what it was like to incorporate Le Tourment Vert into his menu, Chef Richter said, “I loved it.  It’s the best absinthe to pair with food. It’s light, sexy and very drinkable.”

With its delicate blend of fourteen herbs, including ingredients such as grand wormwood, star anise, fennel and eucalyptus, Le Tourment Vert is known for its palatable flavor, which makes it a favorite of cocktail connoisseurs and foodies alike.  Notable mixologist Steve Livigni from the private club The Doheny in Los Angeles created original concoctions for the event that were sophisticated yet restrained to compliment Chef Richter’s flavorful menu.

Food and drink combinations included: Lobster Le Tourment Vert Bisque paired with The Last Straw (a frozen popsicle cocktail of Le Tourment Vert, strawberry and Lillet Blanc); Cured Alaskan Salmon paired with The Up & Up (Le Tourment Vert, Reposado Tequila, orange and lime juices, simple syrup and rose water); and Fried Arangini with Le Tourment Vert Lemon Aioli paired with The Hummingbird (Watermelon Infused Le Tourment Vert, Lemon, St. Vincent’s Tamarind Syrup and Prosecco).

For more information on where to find Le Tourment Vert and original cocktail recipes, visit their web site.

To hire chef Stefan Richter, contact his LA based catering company, Stefan’s European Catering.

To book an event in this private West Village townhouse, visit The Venue Pages.

- Event reporting by Bailly Roesch

PHOTO CREDIT:  Kevin Tachman