Eastern Dragon Recipe
A show stopping staple of our signature list, this spectacular serve awakens every sense.
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Ingredients
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Cocktail Base
Clarifying/Finishing & Garnish
Optional Clarifying (for show-stopping clarity)
Method
Cocktail Base
- 1
Muddle dragonfruit and herbs
Place the diced dragonfruit and purple shiso (or mint) leaves into a mixing glass or cocktail shaker. Gently muddle 8–10 times to release juices and aromatics but avoid pulverizing the herbs to prevent bitterness.
- 2
Add liquids
Add fresh lime juice, simple syrup, white rum, vodka (if using), St-Germain (or triple sec), and the egg white into the shaker.
- 3
Dry shake
Seal the shaker and shake vigorously without ice for 15–20 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create a rich foam.
- 4
Wet shake
Add ice (large cubes preferred) to the shaker and shake hard for 10–15 seconds until chilled and well-aerated. Double strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a chilled coupe or a tall show glass to remove fruit solids and herb bits.
Clarifying/Finishing & Garnish
- 5
Optional clarification (for ultra-clear presentation)
If you want an exceptionally clear, jewel-like serve, bloom the gelatin in cold water for 5 minutes. Gently warm until dissolved (do not boil). While the cocktail is still warm from shaking (or briefly warm the strained cocktail to 30–35°C / 86–95°F), whisk in the dissolved gelatin, then chill the mixture in the fridge until set (about 1–2 hours). Once gelatin-set, cut into pieces and filter through a coffee filter or fine muslin to collect the clarified liquid. This step is optional and adds significant time but yields a crystal-clear result.
- 6
Top with sparkle and finish
If not clarifying, pour 1.5 oz chilled sparkling water gently onto the strained cocktail in the serving glass to retain foam and add effervescence. Lightly dust a pinch of cracked black pepper across the foam to provide a subtle aromatic contrast. Carefully place a thin lime wheel on the glass rim and add a micro shiso or micro mint sprig.
- 7
Add edible gold
Using tweezers, apply small pieces of edible gold leaf or a very light sprinkle of gold dust onto the foam/edge of the lime wheel for the show-stopping visual.
- 8
Serve
Present immediately with a single large cube or sphere of ice if serving in a rocks glass, or without additional ice in a coupe if clarified. Encourage guests to inhale the herb garnish before sipping to awaken the senses.