The Spice Trade

Name: The Spice Trade
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: makes 1 Cocktail
Ingredients: 1 ⁄ 2 cup sugar; 5 pods cardamom; 2 whole star anise; 1 1 ⁄ 2 oz. genever, preferably Bols Genever; 1 oz. fresh persimmon juice; 3 ⁄ 4 oz. fresh lemon juice; 1 ⁄ 2 oz. anise- and cardamom-spiced syrup; 1 ⁄ 2 oz. dry vermouth, preferably Dolin Blanc; 1 whole star anise, for garnish

Serves
makes 1 Cocktail

LAURA SANT

Simple syrup infused with anise and cardamom adds depth and sweetness to this genever and persimmon cocktail from Manhattan restaurant The Breslin.

Ingredients

For the Spiced Syrup

¹⁄₂ cup sugar
5 pods cardamom
2 whole star anise

For the Cocktail

1 ¹⁄₂ oz. genever, preferably Bols Genever
1 oz. fresh persimmon juice
³⁄₄ oz. fresh lemon juice
¹⁄₂ oz. anise- and cardamom-spiced syrup
¹⁄₂ oz. dry vermouth, preferably Dolin Blanc
1 whole star anise, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1

Make the simple syrup: Combine sugar, cardamom, star anise, and 1 cup of water in a 2-qt. saucepan; cook over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and cool. Makes about 1 cup. Syrup will keep, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks.

Step 2

Make the cocktail: Combine gin, persimmon juice, lemon juice, syrup, and vermouth in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with star anise.