For those who didn’t read my story in Wednesday’s Herald Palladium, first shame on you, but one of the great new food offerings available online is also one of my fav new drinks. Boba POPS Fruit. the first and only liqueur-filled popping bobas, incorporates the bubble tea concept which is all the rage and takes it over-the-top. Made by Unifying Spirits, Boba POPS Fruit are pearls of vodka and fruit juice that burst when eaten. Available in a variety of flavors and colors–strawberry, raspberry, peach, lychee, blueberry and (in the fall only) pumpkin–they’re Kosher, gluten-free and vegan and can be consumed as is, over ice, ice cream, and tea.
I like to serve them on my patio (small as it is) in cocktail glasses accompanied with charcuterie and cheeses from The Cheese Lady at The Market in downtown St. Joseph, Michigan.
A Flamboyance of Flamingos
- 2oz Gin
- 3/4oz Lemon Juice
- 1/2oz Undiluted Honey
- 1-2 halved Strawberries
- 1 bar spoon Plain Greek Yogurt
- 2-3 bar spoons Strawberry Boba
In a cocktail shaker muddle strawberries with lemon and honey. Once muddled add gin and yogurt, shaking with ice. Double strain in a rock glass over crushed ice. Garnish with fresh cracked black pepper and enjoy.
Recipe courtesy of Mix, Shake, Stir
The Undead Gentleman
“This cocktail is a posh twist on the classic Zombie. Spotted in the Smuggler’s Cove book, I had to give it a try,” writes mixologist who goes by Mix, Shake, Stir on his/her posts. “A fierce tiki drink served up in a fancy coupe? I’m in with pinkies up. My drink is a version of the original as I did not have the original spec of white absinthe, and I used BG Reynolds Falernum instead of Velvet Falernum. My version sure tasted good nonetheless! Classic zombie taste but make it FANCY.”
- 1 dash absinthe
- 1.5 oz blended aged rum
- 1 oz black overproof rum
- 1/2 oz BG Reynolds Falernum @bgreynolds
- 1/2 oz BG Reynolds Cinnamon syrup @bgreynolds
- 1/2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 dash angostura bitters
- Garnish: lime and grapefruit twists
Rinse a chilled coupe with absinthe, dump excess. Add remaining ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into prepared glass. Garnish with intertwined lime and grapefruit twists.
Rinse a chilled coupe with absinthe, dump excess. Add remaining ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into prepared glass. Garnish with intertwined lime and grapefruit twists.
Cobra’s Fang
- 1.5 oz Jamaican dark rum
- 0.5 oz overproof Demerara rum
- 0.5 oz falernum @bgreynolds
- 0.5 oz fassionola syrup BG Reynolds
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz fresh orange juice
- 1 dash absinthe
- 1 dash angostura bitters
Garnish: mint, lime wheel, orange peel snake (optional)
Add ingredients to a blender with 6 oz crushed ice and blend for about 5-6 seconds. Pour into a tiki glass. Garnish with mint, lime wheel, and a vaguely snake-like orange peel.
“I have been itching to try this cocktail which is one of the OG tiki cocktails created by Don the Beachcomber,” writes Mix, Shake, Stir about the recipe above. ‘This one contains a difficult to find ingredient—fassionola syrup. This syrup is made with a variety of tropical fruits including passion fruit, as well as hibiscus. I am grateful to have gotten my hands on the @bgreynolds version which was lovely in this drink. ‘
This drink tastes like a quintessential tiki drink—strong, tropical, and will bite if you’re not careful. Cobra’s fang indeed!
Rosemary Bourbon Twist
Servings 2 cocktails
Equipment
- 2 Old Fashioned glasses
Ingredients
- 4.5 oz Bourbon
- 3 oz Peach Boba POPS
- 2 oz Lemon Juice
- 2 oz Simple Syrup
- 4 dashes Aromatic Bitters
- 4 sprigs Rosemary
- 2 Lemon Slices (garnish)
- Combine the Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Bitters, and 2 sprigs of Rosemary in a cocktail shaker without ice.
- Muddle the Rosemary with the mixture for about 30 seconds.
- Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake for about 25 seconds.
- Strain equal amounts into the two Old Fashioned glasses (neat or over ice).
- Top each glass with 1.5oz Boba POPS.
- Garnish each glass with a sprig of Rosemary and a Lemon Slice.
