Chengdu Taste at Otium in Los Angeles

The death of LA food critic Jonathan Gold last summer hit the hospitality community hard. Now, Otium is paying homage to the man who helped to shape the dining scene in Los Angeles with a Jonathan Gold-inspired cocktail menu which features 14 unique culinary cocktails created by bar director Chris Amirault in honor of some of Mr. Gold’s most memorable reviews.

One of the drinks, the Chengdu Taste, is a nod to the capital city of China’s Sichuan region. It blends tequila, housemade cucumber syrup, matcha-flavored Beijing yogurt and lime with fresh cracked Szechuan peppercorns for a delightfully balanced sip.

“This is a tequila cucumber sour variation, using Beijing Yogurt instead of egg white,” explains Chris Amirault, Bar Director at  Otium. “The yogurt provides nice acid and earthy flavor, as well as smooth mouthful for the drink. The Szechuan peppercorns add a numbing spice that compliments the vegetal, refreshing sour.”

chengdutaste-inside

Images: Jakob Layman

Chengdu Taste recipe and preparation

  • 2 oz Espolon Tequila
  • .75 oz Cucumber Syrup*
  • .5 oz Matcha Flavored Beijing Yogurt
  • .5 oz Lime
  • Fresh Cracked Szechuan Peppercorns

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail tin. Whip shake without ice to emulsify ingredients. Shake vigorously with ice. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with matcha powder.

*Cucumber Syrup

  • 12 oz Cucumber Juice
  • 6 oz White Sugar

Combine together and mix until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate.

Otium details

222 S Hope St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; 213-935-8500; otiumla.com; @otiumla

Our Best Stories Delivered Daily



Leave a Comment

Start typing and press Enter to search

mocktails-kyu-miami-featured