Empirical Spirits
3 recipes
Annin Nai
Plum, osmanthus, ginger almond milk — a dessert in a glass.
Modern5 min
Annin Nai
Plum, osmanthus, ginger almond milk — a dessert in a glass.
Modern5 min
Ingredients
- 1.35 oz
- Empirical The Plum, I Suppose
- 0.5 oz
- Osmanthus flower maceration
- 3.3 oz
- Ginger almond milk
- 0.67 oz
- Honey water (1:1)
- 0.15 oz
- Lime juice
Build
- Shake all ingredients with ice until very cold.
- Double-strain into a chilled coupe.
- Float a fresh osmanthus petal on top, if available.
GlassCoupe
GarnishOsmanthus petal
Inspired by the Chinese almond-tofu dessert. Osmanthus flower maceration on top of Plum, stretched with ginger-spiced almond milk, honey water for balance, fresh lime to seal.
Ayuuk Milk Punch
Sherry, sencha and Ayuuk clarified by milk — a punch-bowl heirloom.
Modern30 min
Ayuuk Milk Punch
Sherry, sencha and Ayuuk clarified by milk — a punch-bowl heirloom.
Modern30 min
Ingredients
- 5 parts
- Empirical Ayuuk
- 3 parts
- Sherry
- 8 parts
- Brewed sencha tea, cooled
- 1 part
- Lemon juice
- 1 part
- Pineapple syrup
- 3 parts
- Whole milk
Build
- Combine all ingredients EXCEPT the milk in a large vessel.
- Warm the milk gently, then pour the punch mixture into the milk (not the other way around).
- Let curds form for 1 hour, then strain through a coffee filter overnight until the liquid runs clear.
- Bottle and chill. Serve straight, no ice, in a small cordial glass.
GlassCordial glass
GarnishNutmeg
An 18th-century clarified milk punch built around Ayuuk. Sencha and sherry give it a savory frame; pineapple syrup keeps it lifted. Make ahead, let it strain overnight.
Egg Nogging
Apple juice, Plum, spice and aerated whites — holiday, dialed.
Modern8 min
Egg Nogging
Apple juice, Plum, spice and aerated whites — holiday, dialed.
Modern8 min
Ingredients
- 16 oz
- Apple juice
- 5.5 oz
- Empirical The Plum, I Suppose
- 3 slices
- Fresh ginger
- 1 stick
- Cinnamon
- 2
- Egg whites, whipped soft
- —
- Grated nutmeg
Build
- Warm apple juice with ginger and cinnamon for 5 minutes; do not boil.
- Cool, then combine with the Plum.
- Fold in the whipped egg whites just before serving.
- Pour into mugs, grate nutmeg on top.
GlassToddy mug
GarnishGrated nutmeg
A bright, modern nog: apple juice instead of cream, Plum for stone-fruit complexity, ginger and cinnamon for warmth, whipped whites for body, nutmeg on top.