We picked this because we had green tea syrup, mostly. No picture today…
Tasting Notes
Rory: As soon as I put the chocolate bitters in I realized I had made a mistake. I think the flavors underneath maybe are good - sweet elderflower, smooth cognac, grassy green tea - but the chocolate bitters are overwhelming and not very good. I think the idea was to use the bitters for cinnamon, but it didn’t really work.
These tasting notes are more a reminder to throw out those bitters, which we’ve been unhappy with a few times, than any sort of note about the drink.
Ryan: This drink was a pretty good idea, but it’s not quite right. There definitely is a drink with cognac and green tea syrup and maybe even elderflower, but it wants somewhat stronger green tea syrup, a different ratio, and something nice and vegetal, not chocolate bitters. We have mediocre Fee Brothers choolate bitters, which we’re maybe going to throw out after the drink.
Proposed modifications
Basically, lots more floral and herbal notes. Not suggesting all of these, but some of… Brew a much stronger green tea for the syrup. Use cardamom or lavendar bitters. Maybe add a few drops of absinthe? Maybe replace 1⁄2 oz of the cognac with gin (or Chartreuse?) Maybe add lime and shake?
Recipe
- 2 oz Cognac (Park Cognac Cask Single Barrel)
- 1⁄2 oz St. Germain
- 1⁄4 oz green tea syrup
- 2 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters
Swizzle in a julep cup or double rocks glass. Garnish with mint and lemon zest.
Source: liquor.com