Greetings all. Time for a cocktail?
This week we’re going to be making a very Japanese-y cocktail, heavily inspired by the amazing work of Zoran Peric, a Brand Ambassador for Suntory Whiskies, whose work we’ve got a lot of time for here at #MasterofCocktails. We’ll be making a ‘If The Umeshu Fits…’ recipe, a name that will make sense when you see the ingredients.
You’ll be needing these…
List of Ingredients
- 50ml of Hibiki 17 Year Old
- 20ml of Akashi-Tai Shiraume Umeshu
- 1 drop of Mozart Chocolate Bitters
- Half a pipette of Bitter Bastards Sweet Orange Bitters
- 3 Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
We’re starting this drink off by removing an ice-ball from the freezer (made with the Wintersmiths Ice Baller Kit), and leaving it to temper.
Now sling a handful of cubed ice into a stirring glass…
And add 50ml Hibiki 17 Year Old. An extraordinary Japanese blended whisky.
Next, we’re going to sweeten, and deepen the drink with Akashi-Tai Shiraume Umeshu, or ‘Plum-infused Sake’.
We don’t want to overwhelm the drink, so we’re just going to use 20ml.
Next, Mozart Chocolate Bitters. Now a warning here. These are *insanley* concentrated – if I had to guess, I’d say they were made with pot-ale from a chocolate distillate. That’s how concentrated they are.
Hence we’re going to use 1 drop. No more. It gives a superb earthy depth, but too much kills it.
Finally, Bitter Bastards Sweet Orange Bitters. These are much lighter. We’re using half a pipette.
Now give it a good long stir. A good minute. We’re looking to chill, but crucially to dilute too.
Strain over your ice-ball:
Now prepare the garnish. 3 Luxardo Maraschino Cherries on a pick. Hang on the side of the glass.
…and serve. What’ll we call this then? What about ‘If the Umeshu fits…’?
Enjoy!
Here’s what we’re going to be using for the next #MasterofCocktails (shock horror, 2 whisky cocktails in a row!).
Next week, you’ll be needing these…
The Naked Grouse, Bitter Bastards Cardamom Bitters, Mozart Chocolate Bitters, Punt E Mes, Cold-Brewed Coffee and a Wintersmiths Ice Baller Kit.
Ben.
