If you’re looking for a lime gin cocktail that embodies the exotic flavours of Southeast Asia, look no further than this boozy sipper right here.
This recipe marries the herbal notes of botanical gin and yellow Chartreuse with punchy calamansi, fragrant lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. We also use a rather interesting secret ingredient that adds a lovely warmth to the palate: a biting yet sweetly spiced ginger marmalade.
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Tiny lime, punchy flavour: The strong citrusy notes of the calamansi
Calamansi, also known as the Philippine lime or calamondin, is a unique citrus hybrid used extensively in Filipino, Malaysian, and Indonesian cuisines. Sharper and tangier than your regular lime, calamansi can bring a sophisticated punch to beverages. Its exuberant flavour is so apparent that a small dose is enough to get the concentrated citrus zing you’re looking for. This gives you plenty of room to get some extras in the glass.
Gin & Chartreuse
We use Bareksten Gin in this recipe, but any bold and vibrant botanical will work here. Avoid anything too strong (e.g. navy strength) or juniper-heavy; you could run the risk of dominating some of the more delicate aromats in the drink.
Chartreuse is decidedly not Southeast Asian. However, it adds another layer of complex herbal elements and a much-needed sweetness to this lime gin cocktail.
Calamansi + lemongrass gin cocktail with coriander bitters & a hint of spice
Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy1
servings5
minutesThis calamansi cocktail is extra punchy. With its concentrated flavour, there is a beautifully sharp acidity that stays on your tongue well after each sip.
Ingredients
1 stalk lemongrass, sliced
1 kaffir lime leaf
1 heaped teaspoon spiced ginger marmalade (we use Straits Preserves*)
1/2 ounce calamansi juice
1 1/2 ounces botanical gin (we use Bareksten Gin)
1/2 ounce yellow Chartreuse
a few dashes lime & coriander bitters (we use The Bitter Housewife)
An extra kaffir lime leaf and half a squeezed calamansi, for garnish
Preparation
- In a shaker, muddle the lemongrass and kaffir lime leaf.
- Add the marmalade, calamansi juice, gin, Chartreuse and bitters.
- Top with ice, cover, and shake until chilled, about 15 seconds.
- Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a kaffir lime leaf and half a calamansi on a pick.
Notes
- * Straits Preserves produces a spectacular Ginger Garden Marmalade that blends ginger, turmeric, cardamom, lime, and grapefruit into a spectacular sweet jam.
- Quick tip: If you’re really looking for a Southeast Asian touch, we recommend throwing a curry leaf or two into the shaker. This will add a unique aroma to each sip.
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