Cheers Fall 2023 | Page 7

Erin Davey

Erin Davey

ERIN DAVEY IS THE CORPORATE BEVERAGE MANAGER AT NEW YORK-BASED TAO GROUP HOSPITALITY .
The Kusama Full Happiness cocktail at Sake No Hana , our modern Japanese restaurant in New York , is inspired by the art and life of artist Yayoi Kusama . Her work shows a compelling combination of both joy and fear , which is what we tried to do with the flavors incorporated within the drink .
The gentle backdrop of the blood orange and silky egg white combats the harsh heat and mouth numbing effects of the peppercorn mixture . Szechuan peppercorns create a tingling heat on the tongue — a sensation that transforms other flavors for a lush , unforgettable libation .
The name Kusama Full Happiness references her work “ Full Happiness with Dots ,” as dots represent her obsessive personality and minimalistic style . This is reflected in the visual of the drink combined with the exacting proportions of the recipe .
KUSAMA FULL HAPPINESS
1 ¼ oz . Bombay East gin ¼ oz . Belvedere vodka ½ oz . Aperol ¾ oz . Blood orange juice ½ oz . Peppercorn syrup 1 Egg white
Add all ingredients to a shaker tin and shake ( no ice ). Add ice to shaker and shake again . Strain into a coupe glass . Use needle tongs to place a printed rice paper garnish .
The mixologists at Sake No Hana restaurant in New York created this recipe .
PRODUCTS
Jack Daniel ’ s Twice Barreled Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye contains Jack Daniel ’ s Tennessee rye whiskey , charcoal mellowed before aging in new American white oak barrels for at least five years . It then finishes for more than two years in heavytoast “ heritage barrels ” from the Jack Daniel Cooperage . The mashbill is 70 % rye , 18 % corn and 12 % malted barley ; the 100-proof rye is available for a suggested retail price of $ 75 per 700-ml . bottle .
Maker ’ s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon is a new , annual , global limited-release expression . Containing a blend of 11- and 12-year-old bourbon , this 115.7-proof whisky is the distillery ’ s oldest release . After five years aging in traditional rickhouses , barrels moved into the distillery ’ s proprietary whisky cellar for an additional five to six years of aging , before being blended to taste and bottled . The suggested retail price is $ 150 per 750-ml . bottle .
Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut is the first of Valdo ’ s offerings launched under the company ’ s newly forged strategic partnership with C . Mondavi & Family , which began in 2023 . Made up of 90 % glera grapes and 10 % chardonnay grapes , and created using the Martinotti-Charmat method , the prosecco is available for a suggested retail price of $ 20 per 750-ml . bottle .
Ardbeg Anthology : The Harpy ’ s Tale is the first experimental release in the distillery ’ s new Anthology Collection . This whisky aged for 13 years in a combination of ex-bourbon and Sauternes wine casks , creating a balance between big smoke and rich sweetness , the company reports . At 92 proof , it ’ s available for a suggested retail price of $ 164.99 per 750-ml . bottle .
At less than . 5 % alcohol by volume with 80 calories , Blue Moon Non-Alcoholic Belgian White is brewed with the same Valencia orange peel as its alcoholic namesake . The new Blue Moon brew will be launching nationally in six packs of 12-oz . cans in time for Dry January .
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