Inspiration for Gaia

The choice of pecans as part of a cocktail presented some challenges due to its light flavor; but the “buttery” element offered a wonderful opportunity – a fuller mouth-feel to accompany an uplifting citrus flavor, which usually comes with a lighter body, especially in drinks.

This month’s theme, Pumpkins & Pecans, shared common Native American roots, which brought to mind cultures that revered Mother Nature. Inspired by Greek mythology, Provocachic™ selected “Gaia” (Mother Earth) as the title for the cocktail recipe and concept.

Gaia’s light facade was built with an eclectic mix of lemongrass, Heogaarden white beer, Rhum Agricole Blanc and Blue Curaçao liqueur. The choice of the blue version for the last liqueur was aimed at achieving a misty green hue, evocative of lemongrass (or bamboo) and nature, while the type of rum used added to a natural, “grassy” (sugarcane) tone. Using one of the most thirst-quenching (and floral) types of beer together with lemongrass helped to create a most refreshing concoction.

Butterscotch schnapps was used to fatten the pecan’s “buttery” feel, though with only a dash so as not to overpower the recipe. Together with the intense sweetness of natural fructose sugar, the full sensory palate was concentrated in a slim shot glass.

Gaia, like a sprout of green bursting forth from the hardest rocks…