The Silk Road — Gin and yuzu sake under passionfruit Aperol and plum bitters

The Silk Road

Gin and yuzu sake under passionfruit Aperol and plum bitters

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 1 ozGin
    One third of the liquid, and the driest part of it
  • 1 ozYuzu Sake
    Yuzushu; sweeter and much lower in strength than the gin
  • 3 dashesPlum Bitters
    Closer to plum pudding than to fresh fruit
    Substitute: Any dark-fruit bitters
  • 1/2 ozCranberry Juice
    For acidity and colour, not sweetness
  • 1 ozPassionfruit-Infused Aperol
    Steep passionfruit in Aperol, then strain
    Substitute: Plain Aperol, though it lands less tropical
  • 6 dashesFee Foam
    A proprietary foaming agent
    Substitute: One egg white

Instructions

  1. Add 1 oz gin, 1 oz yuzu sake, 1 oz passionfruit-infused Aperol, 1/2 oz cranberry juice, 3 dashes plum bitters and 6 dashes Fee Foam to a shaker
  2. Fill with ice and shake vigorously
  3. Double-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice
  4. Light a rosemary sprig, blow out the flame and lay it on while it is still smoking

    Last step; the smoke is gone within minutes

Technique Notes

The rosemary is lit and laid on while it is still smoking, so the smell arrives before the first sip and fades over the next few minutes. It is the last step for a reason: do it early and there is nothing left of it by the time the drink reaches the table.

Why the The Silk Road Works

Yuzu, passionfruit and cranberry are three kinds of sharp, and the plum bitters is the only dark thing in the glass. It gives the fruit a floor to stand on, which is why three dashes rather than one.