Yuzu Sour

Whisky Cocktails

Mar 12

COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:
- 45 ml Japanese Whiskey
- 22,5 ml Cynar
- 22,5 ml Yuzu Juice
- 15 ml Star Anise Syrup
- 3 Drops of Sarsaparilla Bitters
- 22,5 ml Egg Whites (Optional)

GARNISH:
- Star Anise

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
• Dry shake to emulsify the egg whites.
• Add ice and shake until chilled.
• Strain into a cocktail glass over fresh ice.
• Garnish a star anise.

INSTRUCTIONS STAR ANISE SYRUP:
• Heat 1:1 simple syrup until it just starts to simmer.
• Add star anise 2 g pr. 100 ml of syrup.
• Remove from heat ant let it steep for 4 hours.
• Strain out the solids and refrigerate in a sterilised container for up to 2 weeks.

Cocktail author: Darryl Chan.

Yuzu is a remarkable alternative to traditional cocktail citrus, like lemon and lime. Tart, floral, fragrant and aromatic – the qualities, that can make a drink truly unforgettable. Yuzu Sour is a relatively simple, yet delicious recipe to taste test all the best aspects of this Japanese fruit.

Base of the cocktail, fittingly, is Japanese whiskey with smooth, slightly sweet notes of vanilla, oak, toffee and caramel. It is then paired with a complexity of the bitter-sweet nature of Cynar, bringing deep earthy, herbal and chocolate flavours. Yuzu juice, brightens the cocktail up with delicious aromatic tartness giving the drink a little refreshing spark. Star anise simple syrup helps to balance the cocktail, while also introducing cooling complexity of star anise. A few drops of bitters help to combine the individual notes together and seasons the cocktail letting the flavours pop to the forefront. My addition of egg whites is, of course, optional, but I love a decadent foam texture with my sours, for the full cocktail experience.

All in all, Yuzu Sour is a simple cocktail and a great way to experience the uniqueness of this underutilized citrus.