Speed Rack trading card cocktail- cordially balanced
I’m so incredibly happy and proud of a migraine-friendly cocktail being featured on a Speed Rack Trading Card! I was so fortunate to have been paired with Dana Cowin* in the Speed Rack Advisory Squad who coached me through some gnarly impostor syndrome, backed up my belief that these cocktails had a place beyond the blog I was writing, helped me see when I was standing in my own way and encouraged me to constantly try new things in an effort to see what works. I really grateful for this experience and am hopeful to continue growing this style of cocktail with Clear Spirit & Mind.
*If want to know anything about what she’s like as a mentor and role model in the food and beverage industry, check out her brand new zine, Speaking Broadly! Every page is just as bright, joyful and intriguing as she is. Can’t recommend it enough!
Cordially Balanced is based on a cocktail I made on my former blog, Tartt Drinks, for someone I met in one of my online vestibular migraine support groups. I started writing the blog after I started searching for and answering cocktail questions in my favorite groups as a positive way to occupy my time during quarantine in 2020. Prior to that, I had only made the cocktails for myself or for friends. The person I was chatting with really missed drinking a Manhattan after work and was totally okay with quality aged spirits, but was triggered by sweet vermouth. While clear spirits tend to be the safer option for most folks with migraine, some of us do pretty okay with quality aged spirits. My current limit for aged spirit consumption is 4 oz. (Yes, I took the time to measure and figure this out for myself. It was worth it! lol) Making a substitute for her was such a fun experience! I tasted through a few of my favorite sweet vermouths I like working with and wrote down every flavor note I could think of in order to achieve the best overall flavor for her finished treat. I’m really happy with how this cocktail turned out. I can’t wait for the next occasion I have to share this wonderful treat!
Spiced Pomegranate & Cherry Cordial
24 oz Pomegranate Juice
1 tsp Cacao Nibs
1 tsp Licorice Root
1/2 tsp Whole Allspice
7 Cloves
12 Frozen Tart Cherries
2 TBSP Maple Syrup
Combine all ingredients (except for cherry and maple) into a pot.
Cover the pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and let simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in maple syrup and frozen cherries.
Store in the fridge in a sealed glass container.
Cordially Balanced
2 oz Old Overholt Rye Whiskey
1 oz Spiced Pomegranate & Cherry Cordial
Measure ingredients into a stirring glass over ice.
Stir until properly diluted and chilled.
Strain into a Nick & Nora glass and garnish with a cordial soaked cherry on a cocktail pick.
Thanks so much for checking out this cocktail and taking the time to read through. It is a truly validating experience to see a cocktail modified for migraine featured in such a fun way. I am so incredibly grateful for this wonderful moment. Thank you. Remember to be so good to yourselves and enjoy this cocktail!
Cheers!
Karen
