I recently had the pleasure of visiting a surprising (to me, at least) NYC historic treasure, Poe Cottage in the Bronx, Edgar Allan Poe’s last residence.  While I had known that Poe had perished in Baltimore, I was unaware that he called the Bronx home for the last three years of his life.  He wrote several of his well-known works here including “Annabel Lee”, “The Bells” and “The Cask of Amontillado”.

The Bronx had been “the country” back then, and he had moved there with his beloved wife, Virginia, and mother-in-law/aunt when his wife contracted tuberculosis and it was thought that the fresh air of the country would assist in her recovery.  She lasted only three months after they moved in.  She was likely the inspiration for “Annabel Lee” in which the narrator mourns his dead love who was taken to heaven because the angels were jealous of their “love that was more than love”.

I was inspired to create a cocktail that captured the gothic romance and horror of Poe’s work.  I present to you”The Tell-Tale heart”.

The Tell-Tale Heart

1.5 oz dark rum
1 oz Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
.75 oz Cranberry juice
.5 oz fresh lemon juice
.25 oz Navan vanilla liqueur
3 dashes chocolate bitters

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled a third full of ice and shake like a madman.  Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a gnarled cocktail cherry “heart”.  Sip and brood.