Name: Brandy Ginger Twist
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1/4 cup (2 ounces) brandy; Juice of 1/2 a lemon; 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) fresh ginger juice (see note); 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) orgeat; 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) pineapple gum syrup; dash Angostura bitters; ice; lemon twist, for garnish

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The Oscars are on Sunday and I felt it only right to leave you with some black-tie cocktail inspiration to have with your Thai take-out, or delivery pizza, or if you are really doing it right, fancy appetizers (if its fancy appetizers, can I come over?).

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This icy drink is a combination of two different cocktails that for some reason scream Hollywood to me; the Japanese Cocktail (which has nothing to do with Japan and everything to do with classy 1920’s glam) and a Ginger Sidecar I had at Zuni Cafe when we were in San Francisco last October.

The classic Japanese cocktail is a simple but sophisticated combination of cognac, almond-scented orgeat (pronounced or-zsa, like Zsa Zsa Gabor), and bitters. Zuni’s Ginger Sidecar has brandy, ginger liqueur, orange, lemon, and pineapple gum syrup. Put those two together and your classy Oscar cocktail is served.

Let’s Talk About Pineapple Gum Syrup

Pineapple gum syrup is a pineapple simple syrup that packs a punch of pineapple and adds viscosity to the drink at the same time. I found a bottle made by Small Hand Foods at Bev Mo but you can also find it online.

How To Make Your Own Ginger Juice

Making ginger juice is pretty self-explanatory. If you have a juicer, stick a big piece of fresh ginger in there (you don’t even need to peel it) and juice comes out. This stuff is for real! Add some to your orange juice in the morning, that’ll get you going. If you don’t have a juicer you can still make ginger juice, but you’ll have to peel the ginger first, and chop it, put it in your food processor and blend until it is a puree. Press the puree through a fine mesh sieve and discard the solids.

Cheers Amigos! Have a great weekend!

Brandy Ginger Twist

Yield: 1 drink

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Brandy gets a kick in the (fancy) pants from fresh ginger juice, orgeat, lemon, pineapple gum syrup, and bitters.

Ingredients

1/4 cup (2 ounces) brandy
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) fresh ginger juice (see note)
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) orgeat
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) pineapple gum syrup
dash Angostura bitters
ice
lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions

Combine brandy, lemon juice, ginger juice, orgeat, and pineapple gum syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Cover and shake vigorously until sweat beads the outside of the cocktail shaker.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, shake a few drops of bitters over the top, add a lemon twist and enjoy!

Notes

To make the ginger juice; press fresh ginger through a juicer, no need to peel. If you don't have a juicer, peel a large piece of fresh ginger, chop and blend in a food processor until very finely chopped. Press through a fine mesh strainer. Ginger juice can be kept in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.

One More Thing

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