Black Sesame 20th Century
When I was challenged to create a black cocktail for Black Friday, I didn’t want it to be just any cocktail coloured black. What does “black” taste like? Coffee? Chocolate? Nah, those are both brown, even “black" coffee is dark brown.
Then I remembered my favourite ice cream flavour: Black Sesame Seed! Now, what cocktail could be made better by adding that lovely, toasty, umami flavour? Perhaps a cocktail that has a bit of a cocoa flavour, chocolate and sesame work together beautifully. The 20th Century turned out to be the perfect cocktail to tweak.
So here is your Black Friday Cocktail recipe:
- Toast and grind a tablespoon of black sesame seeds
- add to 100ml of VSOT to infuse (either leave for several days or use a whipper to rapidly infuse)
- To the bottom of a shaker add:
- 30ml Black Sesame infused VSOT
- 25ml Cocoa Nib Co-Lab
- 20ml Lillet
- 15ml Lemon Juice
- A pinch of Activated Charcoal* (if you want your cocktail to go from grey to black)
- Shake hard with ice until the shaker is cold (12-15 seconds)
- Fine strain into a chilled Nick and Nora or coupe glass.
- Garnish with lemon zest.
*There are claims that activated charcoal has health benefits, these are unproven, in large enough doses it can interfere with some medications. I only use it sparingly and on occasion for a bit of a WOW factor.