Further North, A Bitter Melon-Infused Cocktail
Courtesy Andrew Call, Bacchus Bar, Portland, OR
At first glance, this is a deceptively simple maple-and-apple drink. But the key ingredient here is saké infused with bitter melon—a gourd some experts say offers beneficial health properties. Put it all together, this is a complex cocktail, as aromas and flavors meld and unfold as the crushed ice melts.
(Call uses Momokawa, an Oregon-made saké, but says any crisp, dry saké will do the trick.)
- 1½ ounces bitter melon-infused saké (see below)
- 1 ounce apple cider
- ¾ ounce Clear Creek apple brandy
- ¾ ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce maple syrup
- 1 bar spoon Aperol
- Lemon twist, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine all ingredients (except garnish). Shake well. Double-strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.
- 1 bottle dry, crisp saké, like Momokawa
- 1 bitter melon
Cut the melon lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and pith. Slice into smaller pieces. In a mason jar, combine the saké and melon pieces. Cover and refrigerate 3–4 days. Remove from refrigerator and double strain.
Kara Newman reviews spirits and writes about spirits and cocktail trends for Wine Enthusiast. She's the author of several cocktail books, including Shake.Stir.Sip. and NIGHTCAP: More than 40 Cocktails to Close Out Any Evening, which debuts in September 2018. Email: spirits@wineenthusiast.net