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.”
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
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