11/19/2021
Have you been following the 40 Knots Pickled Grape Cocktail competition? Our very own Romain Saenger won 1st place with his cocktail 'The Raisin Star'
💥 WE HAVE A WINNER! 💥
The Pickeld on Grapes Cocktail Competition winner is....
1ST PLACE - The Raisin Star - by Romain Saenger
"My cocktail is called "The Raisin' Star". The idea behind my creation was to come up with a drink that would complement the flavours of the pickled grapes. The grapes are juicy and pickled with some of 40 Knots wines, sugar and spices rather than being pickled with vinegar. The result is a sweet and liquorice taste with a light spicy finish.
For the drink, I chose to use some ingredient with a rich flavor that will pair well with the grapes. I am using some Cold Brew coffee liqueur from Legend Distilling. It is made with BC roasted organic coffee beans and provides a strong and bold coffee flavor with a hint of cocoa nibs. Then I added some homemade Date and Star Anise reduction. It is a rich syrup with a fragrant anise aroma reminiscent of the grapes liquorice taste. I also added some Belvedere vodka because of it's slight citrus aroma and smooth finish. My fourth ingredient is some 40 Knots 2016 Safe Haven Fortified Wine. Made with Vancouver Island grown grapes, Safe Haven grants the cocktail with another layer of warm spices, nuts and chocolate flavor.
Lastly, to balance all of those ingredients, I decided to add a little bit of fresh lemon juice to bring a citrusy element and harmonise the drink.
Follow the recipe below to make this drink, then sit back, nibble on a pickled grape and have a sip of "The Raisin' Star". "
RECIPE:
1oz of Legend Distilling Blasted Brew Spiked Coffee Liqueur
0.75oz of Homemade Date and Star Anise reduction
0.5oz of Belvedere Vodka
0.5oz of 40 Knots 2016 Safe Haven Fortified Wine
0.20oz of Fresh Lemon Juice
Add all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker
Add ice and shake for 15 seconds
Double strain into a snifter glass filled with ice
Garnish with a couple of 40 Knots pickled grapes and a star anise on a bamboo skewer. Enjoy.