Pomelo Baijiu “Dream Tree” Cocktail

Why This Recipe Works

Baijiu, a spirit made from sorghum, is the most-consumed liquor in the world. Depending on the starter used during the baijiu’s fermentation process, it can bear aromas of pineapple, soy sauce, or rice, to name a few of its flavor profiles. We developed our cocktail using strong-aroma baijiu, which had notes of tropical fruit and anise, alongside pomelo juice; the citrus provided a sweet-tart, thirst-quenching, and slightly bitter base. (Grapefruit, a cross between a pomelo and an orange, could also be used in the cocktail.) To offset the pungency of the spirit, we balanced the baijiu with an equal amount of elderflower liqueur, which added complementary floral notes and subtle sweetness. An addition of lime juice also helped brighten and balance the cocktail. We shook the cocktail in a shaker with ice to dilute and chill the mixture and draw out the full flavors and aromas of the citrus oils. We served the drink over ice in a rocks glass with a few added drops of peppercorn oil to complement the herbaceous tones and natural effervescence of the pomelo juice.