Milk Of The Poppy Recipe
*cocktail contains poppy Capurro Pisco, Solstice Aperitivo, Poppy Seed, Lemon Juice, Elderflower Liqueur, Grapefruit Bitters, Lemon Curd Foam
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Ingredients
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Cocktail Base
Lemon Curd Foam (Milk/Curd Foam)
Glass & Garnish
Method
Cocktail Base
Optional poppy infusion
To impart a subtle poppy character, lightly toast 1/2 tsp poppy seeds in a dry skillet over low heat for 1 minute until fragrant. Combine the toasted poppy seeds with the 2 oz pisco in a small jar, seal, and let infuse at room temperature for 20–30 minutes (do not exceed 1 hour to avoid bitterness). Strain through a fine mesh or coffee filter and reserve infused pisco. If you prefer a fresher poppy crunch rather than infusion, skip this step and use all pisco neat and reserve the seeds for garnish.
Add 2 oz of the (infused or plain) Capurro Pisco, 3/4 oz Solstice Aperitivo, 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice and 3 dashes grapefruit bitters to a cocktail shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice, cap, and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until very chilled (this also helps to slightly dilute the drink and integrate the citrus).
Lemon Curd Foam (Milk/Curd Foam)
In a small bowl or mixing cup, combine 3 tbsp lemon curd, 2 tbsp whole milk and 1 tbsp pasteurized egg white (or aquafaba for vegan). If you want it sweeter, add up to 1 tsp powdered sugar and whisk to combine.
Using an immersion blender or a small handheld frother, blend the mixture for 30–45 seconds until it becomes pale, airy and slightly thickened to form a stable foam. If you have an iSi cream whipper, transfer the mixture into the siphon, charge with one N2O cartridge, chill 10 minutes, and dispense a velvet foam when ready.
Taste and adjust: it should be bright with lemon, lightly sweet, and airy enough to float on the cocktail.
Using a spoon, gently float a 1–1.5 tablespoon layer of lemon curd foam atop the strained cocktail. If using a siphon, dispense a 1–1.5 tablespoon dollop centered on the drink.
Glass & Garnish
Finish by grating or lightly sprinkling 1/4 tsp toasted poppy seeds over the foam for aroma and texture. Express a lemon twist over the drink to release essential oils, then rest the twist on the foam as garnish.
Serve immediately. The cocktail yields about one serving.