Cinnamon Squared Recipe

Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves.

Add 2 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 4 whole cloves, 3 lightly crushed cardamom pods, and 1 star anise. Bring to a gentle simmer for 8–10 minutes to infuse spices, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and let the syrup steep with the spices for 20–30 minutes for stronger flavor.

Strain syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a clean container, discard solids, cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Syrup will keep up to 2 weeks chilled.

This milk-wash will be used to clarify the combined cocktail and remove harshness while adding silkiness. Warm 4 oz whole milk gently (do not boil) to about 100–110°F (slightly warm).

Add 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice to the warm milk and stir once. The milk will begin to curdle; let it sit for 5–10 minutes until curds form and whey separates.

Set a fine mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter or several layers of cheesecloth over a bowl. Pour the curdled milk through the cloth and allow the clear whey to pass through. Discard the curds. Reserve the clear whey (typically ~3–3.5 oz).

To create the clarifying medium, you will mix the clarified whey with the shaken cocktail in the next section.

Step 1 — Build and shake cocktail

In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz vodka, 0.75 oz pandan liqueur, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.75 oz house spiced syrup, and ice. Shake vigorously for 18–25 seconds until well chilled.

Step 2 — First strain

Double-strain the shaken mixture into a clean mixing glass or small pitcher using a fine hawthorne and a fine mesh sieve to remove ice shards.

Step 3 — Add clarified whey

Add 0.5 oz clarified milk whey to the strained cocktail (use enough whey to create the milk-wash effect; reserve any extra whey for another drink). Stir gently to combine for 10–15 seconds.

Step 4 — Clarification rest

Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes. During this time, proteins in the whey will bind with some solids and begin to form clumps.

Step 5 — Final filtration

Prepare a fine strainer lined with a coffee filter or unbleached cheesecloth over a clean container. Pour the cocktail-whey mixture slowly through the filter. You may need to let it drip; do not force through. The clarified liquid that collects is your finished cocktail — clear and silky. This can take 10–20 minutes depending on flow.

Step 6 — Serve

Transfer the clarified cocktail into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. Express a lemon twist over the drink, rub the rim with the twist and drop it in. Lightly grate a scant 1/4 tsp cinnamon over the top as garnish.