Raise a glass of Aphrodite’s enticing elixir in offering to the golden Goddess of love and beauty!
The last sacrificial flame to the Olympians may have been extinguished nearly two thousand years ago, but their influence lingers on; and Greek mythology continue to inspire artists and writers to this day. The fantastical tales of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures first captured my imagination as a child. Today I look to those ancient yet familiar tales as inspiration for our Greek mythology inspired feast!
Of all the Olympians, there are few so universally known and adored over the years than Aphrodite. From birth to marriage, the goddess of love and beauty had a strong presence in the lives of the Ancient Greeks as the representation of the creative powers in nature. It was Aphrodite who ignited the passions of both immortals and mortals alike. Her beauty was as legendary as her exploits and there were few who could resist her charms.
Come, Aphrodite, come
Hither with thy golden cup,
Where nectar-floated flowerets swim.
Fill, fill the goblet up;
These laughing lips shall kiss the brim --
Come, Aphrodite, come!
- Sappho Fragments
The rose was one of Aphrodite’s sacred plants and with its enduring association with love, it’s easy to see why. This cocktail is perfumed with both rosewater and elderflower liqueur to really highlight the floral notes. The subtle sweet flavour of rhubarb compliments the delicate and enticing floral aromas in Aphrodite’s elixir. Raise a glass of this enchanting elixir in honour of the golden Goddess of love and beauty!
Ingredients
Rhubarb: You can use fresh or frozen rhubarb to make the simple syrup.
Rosewater: Rose is a tricky flavour aroma to work with but a key flavour for any floral cocktail. It has a lovely fragrance, but use too much, and it risks tasting like your grandmother’s perfume! You can find rosewater in the Middle Eastern or Indian section of your grocery store.
Gin: The delicate botanicals in gin make it the perfect choice of spirit for this floral cocktail. If possible, choose a gin with floral notes – a strong juniper forward gin might overpower the rose and elderflower flavours. Tempo dry gin is a great choice and one of my favourite gins. For even more rose flavour, try Hendricks Flora Adora gin.
Elderflower liqueur: I typically use St. Germain brand however there are more and more brands emerging on the market. Arbutus Distillers is a local company from Vancouver Island that produces an excellent elderflower liqueur.
Lemon juice: As always, fresh lemon juice adds an acidic note that balances this cocktail.
Rhubarb bitters: Experimenting with bitters is a great way to create complex flavours in your cocktails. The rhubarb flavour of these bitters really stands out in the finished drink, so I highly recommend sourcing it out.
Sparkling wine: I like to use Prosecco in my cocktails, but any sparkling wine will work.
How to make Aphrodite’s Sparkling Rhubarb Rose Cocktail
Make the rhubarb rose syrup
Combine the rhubarb, sugar, and water in a pot and bring to a simmer. Turn down the heat and let simmer on low for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the syrup through a wire mesh strainer and transfer to a clean jar. Add the rosewater. Let cool completely before using. The syrup will keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge.
Make the Sparkling Rhubarb Rose Cocktail
In a cocktail shaker add the gin, elderflower liqueur, rhubarb rose simple syrup, lemon juice, and rhubarb bitters. Add ice, then cover and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass. Top with the sparkling wine. Garnish with fresh flowers and enjoy!
