When summer rolls around, I find myself craving a classic sour cocktail. Yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit that imparts a fragrant and refreshing aroma works well with vodka, rum and whisky. And it’s the hottest Asian import in the cocktail scene right now.
That’s probably why I’m completely enjoying Yuri Kato’s “Japanese Cocktails,” a well-polished compendium of Japan-inspired mixed drinks. I checked the helpful index in the back, and discovered Kato had up to eight different cocktails involving this distinct fruit. They all sounded good, but I really think the ginger and blood orange flavors in the recipe below would work well with the subtle notes of yuzu. Enjoy!
Recipe for Chinatown Rendezvous (courtesy of Yuri Kato)
1.5 oz ginger-flavored vodka
1 tsp yuzu juice
1 tsp rosemary syrup
1 oz blood orange juice
Fresh rosemary sprig for garnish
Mix all ingredients except rosemary sprig in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with rosemary sprig, and serve.
