In recognition of the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations, I present to you the She’s a Sensation cocktail. It’s a tribute to my friend Selene, and her family’s secret recipe Olokoi Sauce. Selene gifted me a couple of bottles last year, and said that she thought it could be used in a cocktail recipe. Well, challenge accepted!
I reached for the unique maritime-inspired Isle of Harris Gin, with a key ingredient of Sugar Kelp seaweed to complement this savory soy-citrus-based dipping sauce. Naturally, sesame seeds have a role to play here, along with a passion fruit shrub to round out this Asian-inspired cocktail. Your taste buds will sing among the sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and savory notes dancing all over your pallet. Gong Xi Fa Cai!
She's a Sensation
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Measuring cups
- Strainer
- Jigger
- Cocktail shaker
- Hawthorne Strainer
- Bar Spoon
Ingredients
- 2 oz Isle of Harris Gin
- 0.75 oz Passion Fruit Shrub
- 1 oz Sesame Syrup
- 1 bar spoon Olokoi Sauce
- Fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker
- Add ice and shake until well chilled
- Strain cocktail into a rocks glass over fresh ice
- Garnish with mint
Passion Fruit Shrub
Ingredients
- 12 oz Passion Fruit (Fresh pulp/seeds/juice, or frozen/defrosted)
- 3/4 cup Granulated Cane Sugar
- 1/3 cup White Wine Vinegar
Instructions
- Combine passion fruit and sugar in a sealable container, stir to incorporate sugar
- Place in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, but stir one or twice a day to help dissolve the sugar
- Strain passion fruit and sugar mixture, then wash the vinegar through the fruit residue into the same container
- If desired, strain again through a very fine mesh to remove more pulp
- Refrigerate and enjoy!
Sesame Syrup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Sesame Seeds
- 1 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Granulated Cane Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, toast sesame seeds over medium heat for 2-3 minutes (they will start popping, and release aroma), stir regularly to avoid burning
- Add water and reduce heat to a simmer for 10 minutes
- Add sugar, and still until dissolved
- Remove from heat and strain into an airtight container
- Chill for use in cocktails, store in the refrigerator
