A garden in a glass
The Nakamura is the perfect cocktail for this time of year, without the alcohol
Hola people! Happy Wednesday to everyone, and I hope you are having a great week so far…are you watching the Olympics???
Last week, the team from my cocktail bar barmini attended Tales of the Cocktail, an industry conference where beverage professionals from all over the world get together and learn new things, but also share their wisdom! I also think it’s been a while since I shared a drink recipe, so it’s perfect timing that my team just made this cocktail at Tales.
Something that’s important to mention about this cocktail—the Nakamura—is that it does not have alcohol! People, you know I love a cocktail, glass of wine or cold beer as much as anyone, but whether you’re taking a moment away from alcohol, or if you don’t drink alcohol, this recipe is a great way for you to still enjoy a special drink.
My Senior Director of Wine and Beverage, Daniel Grajewski, was part of the team that created this cocktail, and emphasizes the beauty in its simple elegance: “What I love about this cocktail is the simplicity of being able to create a good drink. Not every drink needs huge technical know-how or hard-to-find ingredients. It is rewarding to be able to take ingredients that can be found in most homes and find the balance to create something refreshing with a complex feeling, without any of the fuss. This is the kind of drink that the everyday home bartender can make to impress their friends!”
The key to this cocktail is Seedlip Garden, a zero-proof spirit that has a lot of the same flavor notes that gin typically has—lots of botanicals, lots of herbs. It smells and tastes like a garden on a warm summer evening, where you might want to sit and enjoy the season.
Seedlip has an interesting story, too...founded in the UK, it’s based on a centuries-old idea first published by a doctor in the 17th century. At that time, it was common for physicians to distill herbal concoctions to treat patients, and so the people at Seedlip began experimenting with herbs from their own garden. Their products are an amazing base for any cocktail, and it just so happens that they provide all kinds of incredible flavors without the alcohol!
Speaking of non-alcoholic spirits, our team has a few brand recommendations for anyone who wants to experiment with them:
Kentucky 74
Seedlip
Amass
Lyres
Aplos
Ghia
Feragaia
Melati Drinks
So make yourself a Nakamura, slow down your afternoon or evening, and enjoy all the wonderful flavors that come from this season.
Nakamura
Makes 1 cocktail