[…] 3. Indian Winter Cocktail […]
Today I share with you a unique yet comforting winter cocktail that will warm you right up in these cold months: the Indian Winter. It is a cardamom cocktail, featuring cardamom honey simple syrup. Read on to learn how to make this crazy tasty beverage!
Last month on the blog, I posted my ultimate guide to making homemade simple syrups, which I absolutely love to make. Just ask my fiancé, our fridge is filled with them! I love how elegant they can make a cocktail, and how easy it becomes to elevate your drinks from a simple vodka tonic to something special and unique. This cocktail is the perfect example!
I bought a bag of cardamom pods at the market a while back and have been just waiting for the perfect recipe in which to feature them. Which is how I came to use cardamom in this simple syrup. The syrup uses equal parts of honey and water instead of the usual sugar and water combination. Then I add the cardamom pods and allow them to steep as the syrup comes to room temperature.
I wanted to keep the rest of the cocktail simple, with just vodka, lemon juice, and egg white. I finished it off with Angostura bitters (my fav!) and a single star anise. I love that as you slowly sip your beverage, the aroma of the star anise helps to bring out the notes of cardamom from the drink!
Let me know what you think of this recipe by commenting below, or if you made the recipe, take a photo and tag @thecharmingdetroiter on Instagram!
- 1 ½ oz. vodka
- ½ oz. honey cardamom simple syrup (see below)
- ½ oz. lemon juice
- 1 egg white
- 1-2 drops Angostura bitters
- 1 star anise
- Ice
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup honey
- 4-5 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, honey, and cardamom pods. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is homogenous. Remove from heat and allow to come to room temperature. Using a fine mesh sieve, strain the simple syrup into an airtight jar. Syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
- Fill a lowball glass with ice water and set aside. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add vodka, simple syrup, lemon juice, and egg white. Shake vigorously to combine for 20-25 seconds. Empty ice water from lowball glass and strain contents of shaker into the glass. Garnish with bitters and a star anise, if desired. Alternatively, cocktail can be served with a large sphere or square ice cube also, or whiskey cubes.
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Annie says
I was gifted some cardamom clove simple syrup a while ago and just happened to have the other ingredients for this cocktail around the house. Really loved this recipe! The egg white made a lovely foam and the drops of bitters with a star anise floating on top made such an elegant presentation, yet it was so simple to make. Thank you!
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a great fall recipe to make for friends!
Mandy says
Made this for my weekly cocktail night with my neighbors. Everyone loved it! So good!
Naomi Thomas says
I added some star anise and a couple red peppercorns to the simple syrup and Oh wow it’s delicious. This is one of our favourite go-to drinks for company. Everyone thinks we are very fancy. ? ?
Rock And Storm says
Oh my God. It is lovely winter cocktail. I like it. Thanks for sharing these information with us.
Rock And Storm recently posted…Hello world!
Lindsay says
This was so good and I used the leftover syrup on vanilla bean buttermilk waffles. Thank you for the recipe!
https://anisasabet.com.au/2017/12/vanilla-bean-buttermilk-waffles/
Sarah says
Sounds yummy! Thanks for your comment, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Sarika says
Do we have to use egg whites? Are the egg whites only used to create a foam when shaken?
Sarah says
Hello, Sarika, thanks for your comment! You are correct: the egg white gives foam and body to the cocktail because it will foam after shaking vigorously with the other ingredients. If you are allergic or aren’t fond of the taste of the egg white, however, you could omit this and still have a pretty tasty cocktail. Let me know how it turns out, and thanks again for your comment!
Edie says
Hello, Can this be made as a batch for a party? Will the egg whites separate too much for this? I would like to make this for a party we are having after the new year. I plan to make the syrup ahead, but can the cocktail be made/assembled ahead? How long (hours) before the party do you think it would “keep?” Thank you!
Sarah says
Edie, Hello and thanks for your comment! Because of the egg white, you’re right: I would be concerned about separation. Usually, because of the egg whites these cocktails need to be made to order.
What you could try to do (although I have not yet tried this, but it seems like it may be feasible) is to make a batch of the cocktail and leave out the egg whites. Then, as the guests at your party would like a cocktail, you could shake just one or two egg whites (for one or two cocktails) at a time in a shaker, add some of the premixed cocktail to the shaker with some ice, and then shake well to make sure the cocktail is properly mixed before serving. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions!