Green, for Better or for Worse
The best part about working with Matcha is that beautiful green color. The downside? It tends to come with a taste reminiscent of grass clippings. When used well, it creates delicious things! I’ve had amazing matcha ice cream and macarons, for example.
Armed with a small sachet of matcha powder, Chris decided to see if he could pull off a matcha cocktail that didn’t taste like the bottom of a lawnmower.
Fighting earthiness with earthiness
It sounds a bit like a Captain Planet episode, but Chris’ approach was to add other aromatic and earthy flavors to balance out the “grassiness”. He added Green Chartreuse (no surprise there) as well as Chareau Aloe Liqueur and Pau Pineapple vodka from Hawaii. For additional punch and flavor, he included Luxardo Maraschino as well.
Did it work?
Chris joked that he’s not entirely sure – he made a major strategic error and brushed his teeth immediately before making this cocktail. So it’s possible you’ll need to add a little toothpaste to really ‘get’ the same experience. (I kid – seriously don’t do that.)
But it tasted pretty great to me! Yes, you can definitely taste the matcha but it goes well with the other flavors and lends the incredible color to the drink – so I vote this one a winner. (Albeit an odd one!)
Equipment
Ingredients
Cocktail Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Vodka Pau Barrel Aged
- .25 oz Maraschino Liqueur Luxardo
- .50 oz Chareau aloe Liqueur
- 1.0 oz Lemon Juice
- .50 oz Matcha Honey Syrup
- .75 oz Egg Whites
- 6 oz Sparkling Water
Matcha Honey Syrup Ingredients
- 1 Tbs Matcha
- 2 oz Hot Water
- 2 oz Honey
- 1 Tbs Sugar
Instructions
Cocktail Instructions
- Add all ingredients except soda water to your cocktail shaker tin.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
- Add soda water to the Collins glass or other tall glass first.
- Double strain the cocktail into your cocktail glass.