Fall under the spell of the Siren’s song with this light and refreshing sea foam cocktail!
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!
The rich pantheon of Greek mythology includes more than gods and goddesses – there are titans, heroes, nymphs, and every imaginable kind of creature. The Sirens were three legendary sea-nymphs with the body of a bird and head of a woman. Destined to ensnare anyone unfortunate enough to sail past their shores, the Sirens lured many a sailor to his doom before finally being defeated by Odysseus. Determined to outwit the Sirens and their enchanting song, Odysseus plugged the ears of his sailors and lashed himself to the mast of his ship. So distressed that Odysseus had heard their song and still survived, the Sirens threw themselves into the sea and drowned.
Before long they sighted the beautiful island of Anthemoessa, where the clear-voiced Sirens ... used to bewitch with their seductive melodies whatever sailors anchored there ... they spent their time watching for ships from a height that overlooked their excellent harbour; and many a traveller, reduced by them to skin and bones, had forfeited the happiness of reaching home.
- Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4
In honour of these bewitching sea-nymphs, I wanted to create a cocktail reminiscent of the ocean itself. This Sirens’ sea foam cocktail is light and refreshing and topped with a briny layer of salted foam. Be careful, one sip of this sea-inspired cocktail and you may find yourself falling under the spell of the Sirens as well!
Ingredients
Gin: To really enhance those ocean flavours, look for a gin that incorporates sea botanicals. I formulated this cocktail using Hendrick’s Neptunia gin which has a subtle ocean aroma. Sheringham Distillery on Vancouver Island makes a Seaside gin that would work as well. Mermaid gin from Isle of Wight Distillery is another great option.
Lemon: Fresh lemon juice adds freshness and balancing acidity to this cocktail. I also add a splash of lemon to the sea foam topping which adds flavour and keeps the foam light and not too stiff.
Sea Salt: It wouldn’t be a sea foam cocktail without the briny taste of the ocean. I use sea salt but you can substitute with regular or kosher salt instead.
Egg whites: Rather than shaking the egg whites into the cocktail, I make the foam separately and spoon it on top. This has the benefit of creating layers of flavour where the foam has a contrasting taste to the cocktail itself.
How to make the Sirens’ Sea Foam Cocktail
Make the simple syrup
To keep the flavours clean and simple I use an unflavoured simple syrup to add sweetness. In a saucepan over medium high heat, combine the water and sugar. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let cool completely before using.
Make the sea foam topping
In a mixing bowl combine the egg whites, lemon juice, and sea salt. Beat on high until there are soft peaks. The extra liquid from the lemon juice will prevent the foam from becoming too stiff and some liquid will separate from the foam. Set aside while making the cocktail.
Make the sea foam cocktail
In a cocktail shaker add the gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Add ice, then cover and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass. Spoon a layer of foam on top. Garnish with dried seaweed if desired. Enjoy!
