Inspiration for Ever After

With the focus on a single ingredient this month, we present the herb rosemary, or “Rosmarinus.” Derived from the Latin name for “dew of the sea” And named by the ancient Roman Pliny ‘the Elder’ (23-79AD), rosemary originally thrived along the coastal regions of France and Spain, where the salty winds and the sea slapped the rock face. This southern European herb symbolized love, loyalty and friendship in ancient Greece and Egypt, and was even believed to drive away evil spirits. Another tale reveals its allure to the mythical elves.

Since antiquity, rosemary was used in aid of memory, beginning with the ancient Greeks when they were studying for their exams. From the late 16th century, it began to be used as a form of remembrance in Europe (e.g. in funerals). Even the Bard mentions this traditional belief; in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Ophelia says to Laertes: “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance.” (Act IV, Scene 5)

The enigmatic herb possess a pungent aroma somewhat akin to pine, and somehow evocative of both the forest and the sea. This ‘turquoise feel’ inspired a companion in the premium Japanese green tea powder, matcha. Revered since the 12th century among the Japanese elite, including the Samurai warriors, matcha exudes restraint, power and elegance.

This understated quality requires the sweet elements in the recipe to be softer so as not to be lost. Orange blossom honey, with its gentle citrus sheen, was chosen with this in mind. Held as an elixir since days of old, this nature’s treasure was actually made with only the nectar of the orange blossom, which reveals itself in a subtle glimpse on the palate. Just like the orange blossom, peach has a personality somehow sensuous and pure at the same time. This powerful touch, in the form of peach bitters, completes the heart of this cocktail, fortified with the smoothest vodka.

The use of bitters actually forms the original definition of what constitutes a cocktail, though rarely seen since the Prohibition period of the 1920s-30s in the United States. This recipe design hopes to stir further passion in the renaissance of the classics, while also remembering the delicate treasures of Mother Nature.

The overall sensation of subtlety, natural and restrained yet powerful like a deep memory, offers a flavor design you could slowly fall in love with. We present a lingering tale of the woods in “Ever After.”