RECIPE: DEATH

 

Refreshingly bubbly and tart, with a bold ginger kick.

prep time: 1 hour serves: 4 difficulty: hard

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ cup (240 ml) water
• 1 cinnamon stick (6 g), 4 inches (10 cm) long
• 1 tsp (5 ml) molasses
• 1½ tsp (4 g) allspice berries, dried
• 1½ tsp (4 g) fennel seed, whole
• 3 limes, 2 finely zested and juiced and 1 reserved for garnish
• 3 g lime zest
• 60 ml lime juice
• 4 empty lime hulls
• 1 banana, unpeeled
• ½ cup (60 g) ginger, finely grated
• ½ cup (60 g) brown sugar, or equivalent sugar substitute
• 1 cup (240 ml) club soda

DIRECTIONS

Caramelized Banana

1. Pre-heat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the Banana in a baking tray, using a fork to evenly pierce the skin 3 times on both sides. 
3. Bake for 12 minutes until skin has blackened. Remove from oven and let sit to cool.
4. Once cool enough to handle, cut banana into ½-inch slices and reserve for the next step.

Velvet Tea (yields ¾ cup or 200 ml)

1. In a small pot over high heat, bring 1 cup of water to a boil.
2. Add the cinnamon stick, allspice, fennel, lime zest, lime hulls, molasses, and sliced Caramelized Banana.
3. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and pass through a fine mesh strainer to remove solids, pressing lightly to release more liquid.
5. Let sit to cool, then seal and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Ginger Syrup (yields 1 cup or 240 ml)

1. Heat ½ cup water to lightly steaming.
2. In a heatproof blender, combine the hot water, grated ginger, and brown sugar. 
3. Blend at low speed until sugar has dissolved.
4. Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove solids, pressing firmly to release more liquid.
5. Let cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Per Serving

• 2 oz Velvet Tea
• 1 oz Ginger Syrup
• ½ oz lime juice
• 1 lime slice

1. In a cocktail shaker with ice, add 2 oz Velvet Tea, 1 oz Ginger Syrup, and ½ oz lime juice.
2. Seal and shake for 10 seconds.
3. Fill a 12 oz glass or copper mug with coarsely crushed ice, packing it into a small mound above the glass rim.
4. Open shaker and finely strain into the glass or mug.
5. Stir briefly to mix the cocktail into a slush, then garnish with a slice of lime pushed into the ice.