Pitchfork 25
Looking for that signature cocktail for your next socially distanced gathering? Do you just need a classy evening sipper? Put down that can of whatever and come with us. We’ve got a citrus fennel cocktail that will knock your socks off!
But first, story-time:
We recently ordered a seasonal vegetable box from Pitchfork Farms in Hiroshima. In it came lots of greens, root vegetables, citrus, and even fennel! The best part: We didn’t know what we were gonna get until we opened up the box! IT FELT LIKE CHRISTMAS!
After sniffing and tasting the ingredients, we decided the citrus and fennel should wed in a cocktail. I’d just picked up an incredible bottle of Haku vodka and it needed some front and center attention. It’s made from polished rice (like sake), added to koji inoculated rice, distilled, and then filtered through bamboo charcoal, giving it a distinct, clean, slightly sweet taste. It’s so lovely you can even drink it neat. But don’t. At least not right now…
That citrus though: Imagine a lemon and an orange had a small grapefruit looking baby and you’ve got the Nouren 25, an experimental variety of Hassaku orange from the Seto Inland Sea. Floral and mild and wildly unique, the Nouren 25 deserved an equally individual cocktail to call home.
So, without further ado, we give you the Pitchfork 25…
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Haku vodka
1.5 oz Nouren 25 juice*
2 quick shakes of orange pink peppercorn bitters**
1/2 tsp. agave nectar (or simple syrup)
lots of ice
2”-3” bunch of fennel, plus more for garnish
pinch of Himalayan salt
Nouren 25 peel for garnish
Directions:
Take one bunch of fennel and twist it between your fingers to bruise it slightly.
Rub the bruised fennel around the entire edge of a rocks glass to release some of the oils and fragrance.
Toss the fennel in the glass and add ice.
In a shaker, add a large handful of ice, vodka, citrus juice, bitters, and agave nectar. Shake for about 30 seconds.
Pour over ice and fennel. Add the tiniest pinch of sea salt, stir, and garnish with citrus peel and extra fennel. Enjoy!
*Contact Pitchfork Farms about obtaining Nouren 25 (or a seasonal veggie box!). If you’re outside of the Hiroshima/Iwakuni area, you could use another citrus but you may need to adjust some of the other ingredients for balance.
** These are homemade bitters (which are a lot of fun) but you could use Angostura.
Did you give it a try? What’d you think? Be sure to snap a photo and tag us on social media or leave a comment below!
