Shadow of Gojira (Godzilla)
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2 oz - The Shin 15yr Japanese Whisky
1/2 oz - Sweet Vermouth
1/2 oz - Suze
1 oz - Yuzu Super Juice
3/4 oz - Japanese Knotweed Honey
Two dashes of Blood Orange Bitters
Oak Smoked Yuzu Garnish
Roughly chopped ice shard garnished with Togarashi
Blue agave, wagyu tallow, cracked pepper, maple syrup rim
Served with dehydrated sugar-coated blood orange and ube cookies with yuzu drizzle
1) In a saucepan, add 3 tablespoons blue agave, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 tablespoon wagyu tallow, and 1 tablespoon cracked pepper. Cook on low-medium heat until boiling (approximately 10-12 minutes), stirring frequently. Let cool for 3 minutes or until the mixture has thickened. Dip chilled rocks glass to coat the rim and keep the glass refrigerated until ready to serve (this will be enough for 2-4 rims).
2) In a mixing glass with chilled marble ice stones, add 2 oz Japanese whisky, 1/2 oz sweet vermouth, 1/2 oz suze, 1 oz yuzu super juice, 3/4 oz Japanese knotweed honey, and two dashes of blood orange bitters. Stir with a cocktail spoon.
3) Add 1 teaspoon of candied dried yuzu peel to a cocktail smoker and smoke with oak wood chips.
4) Pour the cocktail (without the marble ice stones) into the coated-rim chilled glass.
5) Add a roughly chopped shard of ice and sprinkle with a half-teaspoon of togarashi.
6) Serve with sugar-coated dehydrated blood orange slices and ube cookies with yuzu drizzle.
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Introducing the "Shadow of Gojira," a cocktail that captures the essence of the legendary kaiju and immerses you in its world. Imagine yourself amidst the aftermath of a monster's rampage, with hints of smokey oak and citrus wafting through the air, accompanied by subtle spices and seasoning reminiscent of the ashy urban jungle's heart.
At its core, this cocktail features a bold 96-proof 15-year Japanese malt whisky, embodying the strength and depth of the king of monsters. To balance its potency, dark Japanese knotwood honey lends a raw sweetness that harmonizes with the tartness of yuzu and blood orange. The inclusion of sweet vermouth and Suze further enhances the complexity of flavors, adding floral and herbal notes with restrained bitterness.
For those seeking a less adventurous experience, the cocktail can be enjoyed without the blue agave, maple, wagyu tallow, and pepper rim. However, for the full immersive experience, sipping from the rimmed side offers a tantalizing journey through sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and buttery umami flavors, creating a truly memorable taste sensation. This versatility ensures that every palate is catered to, from the daring to the more reserved.
To complement the drink, sweetened dried blood orange slices provide a refreshing contrast, while ube cookies with yuzu drizzle add a hint of acidity and earthiness, grounding this intense experience in a harmonious balance of flavors.
Whether you brave the full force of the "Shadow of Gojira" or opt for a more subdued sip, this cocktail promises an unforgettable journey through the ruins of the urban jungle, leaving you with a sense of relief and a story to tell.
- written, crafted, and photographed by Andrew Kung