EDITION No.38 - UMAMI SPIRIT

Rumour has it that Oprah won’t stay anywhere unless there’s some truffle salt on hand. A billionaire Hong Kong businessman by the name of Stanley Ho once bought a white Tuscan truffle for the cool sum of $US330,000.
Half a kilo of European white truffles can quite easily set you back north of $5000. Truffles release pheromones, specifically androstenone – which is a totally irresistible scent to many. And a truffle’s unique savoury flavour gives them high umami ingredient status: neither sweet nor salty; neither sour nor bitter. Just a subtle, tasty flavour of savoury wholeness that will take your cocktail to the next level of zest, smoothness and enjoyment.

SIGNATURE SERVE

Truffle gin with Fever-tree Indian tonic and thyme

 

TRUFFLE MARTINI

INGREDIENTS

60ml Umami Spirit
15ml Dry Vermouth
GARNISH
3 Drops Truffle Oil.

METHOD

1.
Add ingredients to an
ice-filled mixing glass.
2.
Stir and double strain int
a chilled coupette.
3.
Garnish.

Truffle-oil infused gin, plus vermouth creates a savory, and heck – why not?
– luxurious beverage to appeal to the very soul of the classic dry martini lover.
If you have truffle vermouth stashed away somewhere in the liquor cabinet, good for you, but short of that, the Umami Spirit can be brought out at your next dinner party for you to show off for the benefit of your assembled guests. The addition of the truffle oil gives this martini a silkiness that’ll likely bring applause. Odds are you’ll have to get used to this feeling.

 

TRUFFLE SOUR

INGREDIENTS

35ml Umami Spirit
15ml Sweet Vermouth
15ml Lemon Juice
15ml Sugar Syrup
Egg White/Vegan Foamer

METHOD

1.
Add egg white/vegan foamer to a cocktail shaker and shake hard.
2.
Add ice and rest of ingredients to the cocktail shaker.

3. 

Shake and strain into an
ice-filled old fashioned glass.

The Gin Sour is a classic cocktail traditionally made from gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup. But don’t let the name mislead you: the ‘sour’ references the lemon juice, which is offset here by the syrup, bringing about the ideal amount of sweetness. We’ve added egg white (or vegan alternative) for a thicker, frothier drinking experience, plus some vermouth to the mix for body and balance. A thick, frothy, balanced body? Sounds perfect.