Alayna Caruso
Nola
SAIKAI
Glassware
Collins
GARNISH
Lemon Myrtle, Dehydrated Yuzu
INGREDIENTS
60ml ROKU Gin
15ml Lemon Myrtle Traditionelle French Sparkling Reduction
15ml Lemon Juice
40ml Homemade Yuzu Soda
METHOD
Shaken
THE STORY BEHIND THE COCKTAIL NAME
This intimate cocktail is a toast to Minami Seki, a very good friend of mine from Saitama, Japan. Minami and I met six years ago on her student exchange to a very hot Australian summer, and despite an enormous language barrier we quickly became close. Roku Gin is the exceptional hero spirit of my creation, of which I crafted to have lifted and aromatic qualities whilst maintaining the earthy and herbal character of Roku. I foraged the gloriously aromatic Australian native lemon myrtle to integrate a slightly herbal note from our own outback, in a method traditionelle French sparkling reduction. I specifically selected this sparkling for its blossom, white fruit, and citrus qualities that harmonize perfectly with the bright profile of Roku. To really make this tipple burst with a white garden aroma and provide an effervescent and delightful mouthfeel, the drink was topped with a homemade yuzu soda, highlighting one of my favourite traditional Japanese botanicals of the Gin. The final product is what I believe to be a delicate, refined drink that heroes not only the flavours of two nations but captures the beauty of the relationship I have with a friend close to my heart but half a world away. This drink is a celebration of a friendship built on confused looks, broken language, unbearable heat, and a lot of laughter. To this day, Minami and I continue to write monthly letters to each other, ending each one with the words “see you again.” “Saikai” is the Japanese word for reunion. A toast to you, Minami!