Journey to the Woodland Realm and enjoy this light and refreshing cocktail with a delicate herbaceous flavour and crisp, citrus notes!
Inspired by the woodland realms of Tolkien’s Middle Earth, this enchanting cocktail is imbued with the flavours and scents of the forest. Travelling far from his home in Mirkwood to dine with Elrond in Rivendell, Legolas of the Woodland Realm would certainly enjoy a glass of this fir-scented cocktail. Fresh fir tips and a splash of botanical chartreuse add a bold herbaceous flavour to this Middle Earth inspired cocktail. Join the elves of Rivendell and Mirkwood, by raising a glass of this Woodland Realm Cocktail!
Ingredient Notes
Fir tips: Use new growth fir tips to make this syrup. The best time to make this syrup is in late spring when the fresh fir tips are coming in. You can use any type of fir, such as douglas fir or grand fir. The flavour is light and citrusy and not overly tree-ish. Almost all conifer trees are edible with the exception of the Yew tree, so be sure that you are able to identify and avoid any Yew.
Gin: The botanical profile of gin make it a great choice to pair with the woodsy fir simple syrup. I like to use Tempo gin.
Green chartreuse: A French herbal liqueur with a secret recipe, Chartreuse has been made by Carthusian monks since the 18th century. The recipe is a closely guarded secret and there are two versions, green and yellow chartreuse. Green chartreuse is by far the easier to source as well as being significantly cheaper than it’s yellow counterpart. Chartreuse has a pretty strong herbal profile so a little goes a long way.
Lemon juice: A splash of lemon juice adds a balancing acidity as well as draws out the citrus notes of the fir.
How to Make the Woodland Realm Cocktail
Make the fir simple syrup
Gather and wash fresh fir tips. In a saucepan combine the water and sugar. Place over high heat and bring to a simmer. Stir occasionally to completely dissolve the sugar. Add the fir tips and let simmer for another minute. Then, remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 20-30 minutes.
Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer and discard the fir tips. If you notice any dark flecks in the syrup, you can pass it through a coffee filter to make it completely clear. Let the syrup cool before using. The syrup will keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge.
Make the Woodland Realm Cocktail
In a cocktail shaker add the gin, green chartreuse, fir simple syrup, and lemon juice. Add ice, then cover and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with fresh flowers if desired and enjoy!
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