Lilac Slacks Recipe

Cocktail

1. 1

   Prepare pea flower vodka (advance)

   If you don't already have pea flower infused vodka, steep 1 level tablespoon dried butterfly pea flowers in 8 oz (240 ml) vodka for 30–60 minutes until deep blue, then strain. Use chilled. This infusion yields the distinctive bluish-violet base used in the cocktail.

2. 2

   Dry shake (emulsify)

   In a cocktail shaker, combine pea flower infused vodka (2 oz), violet liqueur (1/2 oz), passion fruit purée or juice (1 oz), fresh lemon juice (3/4 oz), simple syrup (1/2 oz), and one fresh egg white. Do NOT add ice yet. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds to emulsify and build a silky foam.

3. 3

   Wet shake (chill & aerate)

   Open the shaker, add a generous handful of ice (about 1 cup). Seal and shake hard for another 12–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is cold. This chills and further aerates the foam.

4. 4

   Strain and finish

   Double-strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass using a fine mesh strainer over a hawthorne or julep strainer to remove ice shards and any pulp. If you prefer a lighter, sparkling finish, top with up to 1 oz club soda (optional) poured gently down the side to preserve foam. Note: adding soda will slightly reduce foam stability.

5. 5

   Adjust color (optional)

   If you'd like a more pronounced lilac hue, add a splash (about 1/4 oz) of concentrated pea flower tea; stirring gently will shift the color. A few drops of lemon can also shift the color toward purple by changing pH — use sparingly.

6. 6

   Garnish and serve

   Carefully float an edible violet or a few passion fruit seeds on top of the foam as a garnish. Serve immediately with no straw so the guest experiences the foam first, then the bright passion fruit and violet flavors.