Tom Collins
The Tom Collins has a refreshing, slightly sour, and mildly sweet taste. It is a well-balanced cocktail with a smooth and light texture, making it easy to drink and enjoy.
Lotus Cocktail Recipe
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Lotus Nutrition Facts
Calories:180
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:15g
Alcohol %:20
Created by
Nic Polotnianko
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 7, 2024
Contents
History
The Lotus cocktail is a relatively modern creation, originating from the trendy cocktail bars of New York City in the early 2000s. It quickly gained popularity for its unique blend of flavors and beautiful presentation. The Lotus is a favorite among those who enjoy floral and fruity cocktails with a hint of sophistication. It's perfect for summer evenings, garden parties, or any occasion that calls for a touch of elegance.
How Lotus Tastes?
The Lotus cocktail is a delightful blend of sweet, sour, and floral notes. The sweetness of the lychee liqueur is balanced by the tartness of the lime juice, while the gin adds a subtle floral undertone. The result is a cocktail that is refreshing, sophisticated, and utterly delicious.
Interesting facts about Lotus
- The Lotus cocktail is often served in a martini glass, adding to its sophisticated appeal.
- Despite its delicate flavor, the Lotus is a strong cocktail, thanks to the gin and lychee liqueur.
- The Lotus cocktail is named after the lotus flower, a symbol of purity and elegance in many cultures.
Ingredients
- Gin: 1.5 oz(45ml)
- Lychee liqueur: 1 oz(30ml)
- Lime juice: 0.5 oz(15ml)
- Soda water: Top up
- Lychee for garnish: 1
A few good options for Lotus are:
- Brockmans
- Silent Pool Gin
- Hendrick's Gin
Gin
Gin is the backbone of the cocktail, providing a complex botanical profile that balances the sweet lychee. 1.5oz is just the right amount to let the gin shine without overpowering the delicate lychee. Too much gin and you'll be walking the plank of bitterness, too little and the drink loses its spirit. An alternative could be vodka for a more neutral taste, but you'd lose the botanical chorus.
Emma Rose
Lychee Liqueur
This sweet, floral liqueur gives the cocktail its distinctive lychee flavor. 1oz is perfect for a sweet but not toothache-inducing profile. If you skip it, you'd miss out on the essence of the Lotus. A possible substitute could be a dash of lychee syrup, though you might need to adjust for sweetness.
Alex Green
Lime Juice
The lime juice offers a tangy contrast to the sweetness, adding depth with 0.5oz for a zesty kick that won’t sour your experience. Leaving it out would make the cocktail too cloying, like a joke that's all punchline. A swap could be lemon juice, but the flavor profile would shift to a sharper citrus note.
Mary Mitkina
Soda Water
This is the effervescent element of the drink, lifting the heavier flavors and giving a refreshing sparkle. 'Top up' is vague, but too much soda and your drink is taking a bubbly bath, too little and it's just shy of lively. If you trade it for tonic water, you'd get a bitter twist, which can be an interesting change.
Emma Rose
Lychee for Garnish
The garnish isn't just window dressing; it's a visual and edible clue to the flavors inside the drink. One lychee says 'I'm here for the elegance, not the excess.' If omitted, the cocktail would still taste great, but it'd be like turning up to a party without your shoes—it's just not done.
Alex Green
Recipe. How to make Lotus Drink
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the gin, lychee liqueur, and lime juice to the shaker.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker becomes frosty.
- Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass.
- Top up with soda water.
- Garnish with a lychee on a cocktail stick.
Pro Tips
- Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
- Chill your martini glass beforehand for a colder cocktail.
- Don't overdo it with the soda water - you don't want to dilute the flavors too much.
Perfect Pairings
Appetizers
- Sushi: The delicate flavors of sushi pair nicely with the Lotus's subtle lychee and gin botanicals.
- Spring Rolls: Fresh spring rolls with shrimp or tofu can complement the fruit and citrus notes.
Main Courses
- Grilled Chicken: A light herbed grilled chicken would go well with the refreshing qualities of the cocktail.
- White Fish: A simply seasoned white fish will allow the flavors of the Lotus to shine.
Desserts
- Fruit Tarts: The sweetness of a fruit tart matches the lychee's sweetness in the drink.
- Sorbet: A light, lemon or lychee sorbet would be cleansed by the cocktail's fizz.
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What you could change in Lotus
If you can't find lychee liqueur, you can substitute it with a lychee syrup or a lychee-flavored vodka. If you're not a fan of gin, vodka can be used instead.
Explore all drinks starting with L here
And of course - twists🍹
Cucumber Lotus
- Replace 0.5oz of gin with cucumber-infused gin.
- Add a few slices of fresh cucumber to the shaker.
- Follow the original recipe and garnish with a cucumber ribbon. This twist introduces a refreshing, spa-like quality that brings a cool crispness, perfect for hot summer afternoons.
Spiced Lotus
- Add a small slice of ginger to the shaker with the original ingredients.
- Include a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Shake and strain as usual, garnishing with a thin slice of ginger. Spice lovers will savor the warmth of ginger and the surprise kick of cayenne, which energizes the drink's profile.
Rosy Lotus
- Substitute lychee liqueur with rose syrup (adjust for sweetness).
- Use pink grapefruit juice in place of lime juice.
- Shake up with gin and strain, then top with a splash of rose water in addition to soda water.
- Garnish with rose petals or an edible flower. The floral notes from the rose and grapefruit give an elegant, perfumy twist perfect for a bridal shower or a romantic evening.
In case you forgot basics how to make Lotus
Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shakePlace your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
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Frequently Asked Questions on Lotus
What is the best gin to use for the Lotus cocktail?
The best gin to use for the Lotus cocktail is a quality London Dry gin. However, personal preference always plays a role, and other types of gin like Plymouth or Old Tom can also work well.
What does the term 'Top up' mean in the context of this cocktail?
'Top up' means to fill the rest of the glass with the specified ingredient, after the other ingredients have been added. In this case, the glass should be filled with Soda Water.
Can I make this cocktail ahead of time for a party?
Yes, you can mix the gin, lychee liqueur, and lime juice ahead of time. However, don't add the soda water until you're ready to serve the drinks, as it'll lose its fizz. Also remember to garnish just before serving.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Lotus cocktail?
Yes, for a non-alcoholic version of the Lotus cocktail, substitute the gin and lychee liqueur with lychee juice and a splash of non-alcoholic sparkling beverage.
Do I need a specific type of shaker for this cocktail?
No, any cocktail shaker will do. Using a shaker helps to mix the ingredients thoroughly and also chill the drink.
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