Pineapple Politics w. Snowdrop Foam

Pineapple Politics w. Snowdrop Foam

Pineapple Politics Ingredients:

1 oz Saxtons River Vodka

1.5 oz Pineapple Juice

.25 oz Simple Syrup

.5 oz Vecchio Amaro

Makes 1 Serving

Snowdrop Foam Ingredients:

1 oz Snowdrop Gin

.5 oz Lemon Juice

.5 oz Simple Syrup

1 Egg White

1 Cardamom Pod

.5 Teaspoon Coriander Seeds

Makes 4-5 Servings

This drink is screaming for spring as we endure what remains of the Dog Days of Winter.  There are sunny flavors reminiscent of the months ahead of us, coupled with the warm embrace of the everlasting New England winters.  In fact, this drink is rather complex in its flavor profile (or “profiles” I should say) as it evolves with every sip.  With each ingredient having such a bold presence it took many tries to get this one right.  I hope you enjoy it!

Let's start with the Snowdrop Foam:

1. Add cardamom and coriander to a metal shaker tin and muddle.  Be sure to grind them as much as you can.

2. Add all other ingredients to the shaker tin and dry shake.  Dry shaking is when you shake without ice.  The goal is to break down the egg and incorporate all of the ingredients.  In doing so you will create a light foamy texture, but we are taking it to the next level!

3. After the dry shake, separate the shaker tins and add ice.  Shake again and double strain into a CO2 canister.  Double straining is the process of using a Hawthorne strainer and tea strainer to separate any solid ingredients like the coriander seeds and broken down ice chips.

4. Now that the mixture is in the canister, close it tightly and add a CO2 cartridge.  Shake for 5 seconds and keep cold in the refrigerator.

Now for the cocktail:

1. Add the pineapple juice, simple syrup, vodka, and amaro into a clean shaker tin.  Fill with ice and shake for roughly 15 seconds or until you see ice forming on the outside of the shaker.

2. Double strain the cocktail into a rocks glass with fresh ice.

3. Top the cocktail with your Snowdrop Foam and garnish with the leaves of a pineapple.

Saxtons River Sapling Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned w. Orange Air

Saxtons River Sapling Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned w. Orange Air

Ingredients:

2 oz Saxtons River Sapling Maple Bourbon

.25 oz Simple Syrup

2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

3 Dashes Orange Bitters

Orange Juice

Soy Lecithin

Dried Orange Wheel

Make 1 Serving

The Old Fashioned is just that, an old fashioned mainstay beloved by whiskey lovers.  Dating back to the late 1800s this cocktail has stood the test of time.  In modern day mixology we see many unique iterations of this beverage as bartenders and bar owners battle it out to stay ahead over the curve when it comes to innovative and imaginative cocktail menus.  This version is unique in that it uses a maple flavored bourbon and also includes the addition of orange air.

Orange Air Instructions:

1. Add 800 ml of orange juice in a wide and deep dish.  Add 1 generous teaspoon of soy lecithin granules.

2. Using an immersion blender, whip air into the orange juice.  This takes a few minutes but the result will be a stable foam which can hold its shape for up to an hour.  Once you are happy with your air, set it aside and assemble your cocktail.

Notes: When adding the orange juice to the vessel that you will be blending in, make sure that the liquid is not too deep.  There should be no more than 1-2 inches of liquid in your container.  You also do not want to fully submerge the immersion blender.

Maple Old Fashioned Instructions:

1. Add bourbon, simple syrup, orange bitters, and angostura bitters into a cocktail stirring glass and fill with ice.  Stir for about 45 seconds or until you notice that the ice has begun to melt in the glass.

2. Pour mixture over fresh ice in a rocks glass.

3. Top with orange air and a dried orange wheel.

4. Enjoy!

Kristen's Espresso Martini

Kristen’s Nitrogen Infused Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

2oz Vodka

2oz Espresso

2oz Creme de Cacao

Coffee beans

Makes 2 Servings

Everyone loves an espresso martini!  Rich, creamy, and lightly sweet this brewed blunder packs a kick of caffeine which any good time girl can rely on.  In fact, this beverage was created for just that by mixologist Dick Bradsel in 1980’s London for a young model who needed a liquid companion to uplift her spirits.  As simple as it is, I think it is nearly perfect and does not need much in terms of creative infusion.  For that reason I am keeping it simple with just the substitution of coffee liqueur for creme de cacao and a nitro-infusion for a little modern flare.

Here’s how to make Kristen’s Espresso Martini:

Instructions:

1. Add vodka, espresso, and creme de cacao in a shaker tin and fill with ice.  Shake for 10 seconds.

2. Double strain and pour the mixture into the nitrogen infusion canister.

3. Dispense equally into two martini glasses.  Top each with 3 coffee beans.

What is nitrogen and why is it in my cocktail?

Nitrogen is one of the most abundant elements on the planet.  It is a gas that is odorless and tasteless.  To add nitrogen to a liquid it requires pressure (provided by the steel canister) and cold temperatures (ice) to dissolve.  When dispensed the infused gas first tries to escape the glass by rushing downward to the bottom.  The nitrogen then travels upward releasing around the rim of the glass.  The result is a light and creamy textured foam which forms on the top of the beverage.

Love is in the Air - Elderflower Margarita with Citrus Air

Elderflower Margarita w/ Citrus Air

Ingredients:

3 Ounces Silver or Reposado Tequila

1.5 Ounce Lime Juice

1 Ounce Simple Syrup

1 Ounce Elderberry Flower

800ml Ounces Orange Juice

1 Teaspoon Soy Lecithin

.5 Teaspoon Beet Powder

Dried Lime Wheel

Makes Two Servings

Citrus air was the inspiration for this cocktail.  Citrus air is a light bubbly substance that is created by whipping citrus with an emersion blender.  The goal is to froth the citrus juice in combination with soy lecithin to create a very light foam that will hold its shape.  The airy foam will then be used to accent our cocktail as a flavor and color contrasting topper.  Soy lecithin is derived from soy and can be used for many purposes, some of which include acting as a food stabilizer (our purpose) and a nutritional supplement.

Making the citrus air is easy.  Follow these two steps:

Citrus Air

1. In a wide bottomed bowl or dish add the orange juice, soy lecithin, and beet powder. 

2. Use an immersion blender or frother to whip the mixture until it creates an air like foam.  Make sure not to completely submerge the blender as you need to be sure that you are whipping in air.

Helpful Tips:

1. The citrus mixture should be shallow in its dish.  Since you need air to whip the mixture it is best to have the most surface area possible.

2. Prep the air before making your cocktail as the soy lecithin helps the air hold its shape for up to an hour!

3. Use contrasting or complementary flavors for your cocktail for a more complex flavor.

Elderflower Margarita with Citrus Air Build Instructions:

1. In a shaker tin combine tequila or mezcal, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, elderflower cordial, and ice.  Shake vigorously for 15 seconds or until ice starts to form on the outside of the shaker tin.

2. Pour your margarita into a rocks glass and fill with ice.

3. Top the margarita with your citrus air and garnish with a dried lime wheel.

Aviation Cocktail Recipe

Aviation Cocktail

Ingredients:

3oz Gin

1oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

1oz Lemon Juice

Maraschino Cherries

Makes 2 Servings

The Aviation is a classic cocktail dating back to the prohibition era.  In simple terms, it is a gin daiquiri, but when you look a little deeper you will see there is more to be uncovered.  Luxardo is a major player in the flavor department.  The full bodied cherry sweetness that the cordial offers is essential in making this cocktail approachable.  Without it, you could expect flavors of pine and juniper from the gin accompanied by a floral astringency.  The aroma and floral flavors come from the elusive creme de violette.  Not easily found, this deep purple liqueur is made from the violet flower presenting both in color, aroma and flavor.

Building this cocktail is easy!:

1. Add the gin, Luxardo, and lemon juice to a shaker tin and add ice.  Shake vigorously for 15 seconds or until ice forms on the outside of the shaker tin.

2. Using a hawthorne and tea strainer, double strain into a martini or coupe glass.

3. Garnish with a lemon peel or maraschino cherry.