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Natural Light Recipe

Name: Blackwater Restaurant & Lounges Natural Light Recipe
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 2 oz vodka (preferably neutral, chilled); 0.5 oz elderflower liqueur (e.g., St-Germain); 0.75 oz freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice (or regular lemon); 0.25 oz freshly squeezed yuzu or lime juice (if available; otherwise additional lemon); 0.5 oz light simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water), chilled; 0.25 oz clear honey syrup (optional, for floral depth) — honey diluted 1:1; 2 oz chilled soda water or sparkling mineral water; 1 oz cold prosecco or dry sparkling wine (optional, for celebratory version); 1 dash orange blossom water (optional, very small amount); 1 piece thin lemon wheel or twist; 1 piece edible flower (optional); 1 piece large ice cube(s)

Inspired by Blackwater Restaurant & Lounge

Time10m

Serves1

Make Natural Light Recipe in just 10m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Base & Spirits

2 oz vodka (preferably neutral, chilled)

1/2 oz elderflower liqueur (e.g., St-Germain)

Citrus & Brighteners

3/4 oz freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice (or regular lemon)

1/4 oz freshly squeezed yuzu or lime juice (if available; otherwise additional lemon)

Sweetener & Clarifying Element

1/2 oz light simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water), chilled

1/4 oz clear honey syrup (optional, for floral depth) — honey diluted 1:1

Sparkle & Finish

2 oz chilled soda water or sparkling mineral water

1 oz cold prosecco or dry sparkling wine (optional, for celebratory version)

1 dash orange blossom water (optional, very small amount)

Garnish

1 piece thin lemon wheel or twist

1 piece edible flower (optional)

1 piece large ice cube(s)

Method

Preparation

Chill glass

Place a coupe or a chilled highball/collins glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes, or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail.

If making honey syrup, combine equal parts honey and warm water, stir until dissolved, cool and refrigerate before using.

Mixing & Shaking

Combine base ingredients

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2 oz vodka, 0.5 oz elderflower liqueur, 0.75 oz fresh Meyer lemon juice and 0.25 oz yuzu or extra lime/lemon juice, 0.5 oz light simple syrup and 0.25 oz honey syrup (if using).

Optional aromatics

Add one dash of orange blossom water only if you want a delicate floral perfume; do not overdo it — one dash is enough.

Shake

Cap the shaker and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until well chilled and slightly frothy.

Strain & Finish

Prepare glass

Remove the glass from the freezer or empty the ice water. Place a large ice cube in the glass if serving on the rocks; for a dainty coupe serve without ice.

Double strain

Double-strain the shaken mixture into the prepared glass (use a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer) to remove ice shards and any pulp for a clean, 'natural light' appearance.

Top with sparkle

Top the drink with 2 oz chilled soda water for a lighter, lower-alcohol version. For a celebratory variation, instead top with 1 oz prosecco and 1 oz soda (or 2 oz prosecco) to taste.

Garnish

Garnish with a thin lemon wheel or a lemon twist laid on the rim and an optional edible flower. Express the lemon twist over the drink first to release oils, then add.

Serve immediately while effervescence is bright.