Lotus Cocktail

- Jenny

Whereas I am at this very moment eating chocolate-covered almonds for breakfast, the world perhaps should not be taking cooking advice from me. 

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But how about some mixology tips? Back in Los Angeles with my friend Joshua, he of the very full and generous home bar, I got to do a bit of pouring, specifically of Lotus Cocktail. 

Joshua had picked the cocktail from the site because, he said, he wanted something summery and light that “wasn’t like a fruity piña colada,” but also something with an herbal taste, and simple and fun, “something we could play with.” All right sir!

Our first improvisation concerned the gin, as there was no Hendrick’s on hand. We substituted with Tanqueray No. 10, which has a divine sort of vegetal nose. Into the glass went the cucumbers, the Domaine du Canton and, after proper muddling of the cucumbers, the scoop of ice called for here. (How much is a scoop? “I don’t know and it doesn’t matter because the ice is going to be held back anyway,” Joshua said. Got that?)

Strained, then doused with soda and feted with a darling cucumber garnish, the drink was thus served. It was heavy on the ginger, the essential flavor of Canton, with a heavy alcohol finish. A bit too much, for my taste. So, how to work on it?

We wondered about taking the Canton down by one third and adding a dash of Chartreuse, that herbal liquor made by Carthusian Monks. Hmm. It was okay, but needed something. I decided that something was lime. Blech. 

Moving on. We next made the recipe exactly as written, but substituted St. Germain, an elderflower liqueur, for the Canton. I liked it, but I am a shameless St. Germain apologist. Joshua found it watered down. At this point, sliding a little down the kitchen bar, I started to wonder where our spouses were. Jennifer, Joshua’s wife, ambled and took a few sips of each. 

I would like to report to you what she said, but it’s sort of mixed with some muddled directions about dinner, and a discussion about bike routes. I am pretty sure my husband was watching soccer. I steadied myself. We had one more cocktail to mix.  

We then returned to the beginning, with an herbal twist. We muddled about six mint leaves with the cucumber, took the Canton down to half an ounce from 3/4 ounce, and followed the rest of the recipe as written. The Canton was balanced, and we were much closer to the way this cocktail was meant to be consumed than any other way we messed with it.

This is the essence of community recipe sharing no? Take it off the grid, and then come back to where you belong.

Lotus Cocktail by drinkoftheweek

 

SERVES 1

 

  • Pre-chill a cocktail glass and set aside. Cut three slices of cucumber into quarters and muddle in a mixing glass with the Canton. After sufficiently pulverized, add Hendrick's and a level scoop of ice. Shake for about 15 seconds. Strain carefully into pre-chilled glass careful to limit the amount of pulp. Add soda to icy, crushed cucumber mixture. Swirl and strain again. Garnish with the remaining cuke slice. 

 

Enjoy Jenny? See the Feta, Pine Nut and Mint Pesto she pulled together from her garden.

By day, Jennifer Steinhauer, aka Jenny, covers Congress for The New York Times. By night, she is an obsessive cook.

Jennifer Steinhauer

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Jestei

Written by: Jestei

The ratio of people to cake is too big.

23 Comments

I_Fortuna July 3, 2013
Ginger liqueur is right up my alley. I love this for a nice summer cocktail! Thanks!
 
Ohdrat August 6, 2011
Finding Domaine De Canton was a bit more of a challenge than I expected but after my successful search and then making the cocktail I am a fan! The second batch I upped the Domaine De Canton from 3/4 to a full ounce and I found that more to mine and my guests liking. Also, Hendricks is a must for this one.
 
kak6154 July 25, 2011
Ditto...whose glasses are those? Very cool. Thanks!
 
Rivka July 21, 2011
where's the glass in the above pic from? it's so elegant. methinks I need a few of those.
 
mcs3000 July 18, 2011
Made it with Hendrick's - nice! I have given Hendrick's as a thank you gift - owe you a bottle.
 
Jestei July 19, 2011
wow i guess i need to bone up. i have been blue bottle gal.
 
lorigoldsby July 18, 2011
Salut! Jenny....love how you "muddled" thru....ever thought of using an actual pickled lotus root as the garnish? They are quite pretty in an airy way. My only tip is to rinse them well and maybe allow them to soak in a gin or domaine bath for a few minutes
 
Jestei July 19, 2011
wow that is an intense add!
 
lmerdmann July 18, 2011
The drink sound wonderful, but in a pre-chilled glass? Don't you mean simply "chilled"? After all, pre-chilled would still be warm! (Years ago we used to heat the oven as we were making a dish; now we preheat it.) Let's think before jargon takes over the world -- if anyone cares. Guess I need another drink.
 
Jestei July 18, 2011
I think the author means chilled pre-making. Anyway. Not worst jargon I have heard in my life. Think of all the synonyms for being fired.
 
healthierkitchen July 18, 2011
Just one more reason to get myself over to the store to get some Domaine de Canton and St. Germain, which I have been meaning to do for months!
 
Jestei July 18, 2011
I like them both though SG more.
 
Sagegreen July 18, 2011
I love your experimentation with this drink, especially with the mint. Having experimented last week with new recipes, I wound up making my company this past weekend regular old muddled cucumber and gin gimlets, which they enjoyed.
 
Jestei July 18, 2011
sounds inspired.
 
Lizthechef July 18, 2011
We know how to party here in SoCAL - right, Jenny?
 
Jestei July 18, 2011
YES
 
mrslarkin July 18, 2011
Oh, fancy! Will try very soon, when I'm in a fancy mood (which is practically never, but I promise I'll try it anyway.) I have made this awesome cucumber cocktail ...it's a drink AND a snack! http://www.food52.com/recipes/13213_cucumber_cooler Cheers, Jenny!
 
Jestei July 18, 2011
that looks great
 
Panfusine July 18, 2011
Hi Ho Hi Ho... off to get some Gin I go!!
can't wait to try this for myself, since my kids totally commandeered your last weeks dish!
 
Jestei July 18, 2011
keep the kiddies from the booze :)
 
MrsWheelbarrow July 18, 2011
This looks delicious! I've been on a St. Germain kick and I've been making something called a French G&T - 2 parts gin, 1 part St. Germain, 1/2 part lime juice. Tonight, I'm going all out with the Lotus. Thanks, Jenny.
 
wssmom July 18, 2011
Is everyone on the St. Germain kick? I love the stuff and the French G&T sounds lovely ...
 
Jestei July 18, 2011
Gin and SG are a great combo.