Warm 'Goji Ice Tea' cocktail for Christmas
One of London’s most celebrated mixologists, Boris Ivan, has created an innovative cocktail inspired by Japanese and English tea culture. His creation, the ‘Goji Ice Tea’, is served in a Japanese tea set and is available both hot or cold, exclusively at Le Méridien Piccadilly’s chic Longitude 0°8’ bar.
The warm version, available from 29th November, is perfect for Christmas. This festive version of the cocktail releases its cinnamon fragrance which is blended with the fresh citrus flavours of lemongrass and orange. Ideal for those needing a warm seasonal refreshment after a hard day in London shopping for presents.
As the name suggests, the ‘Goji Ice Tea’ uses celebrity superfood favourite, the goji berry. Grown in the remote Himalayas in Tibet, the berry is reported to be eaten by the likes of Madonna, Liz Hurley, Mischa Barton and Victoria Beckham because it contains high doses of vitamin C and linoleic acid which help to keep skin plump and youthful.
The berry is used fresh (as opposed to dried) to make FAIR. Goji Berry liqueur, the only liqueur available containing this fruit. The berries used are harvested by small independent farmers in Tibet who receive a fair price for their crop. This helps sustain communities in the remote Himalayan mountains.
‘Goji Ice Tea’ Ingredients:
50ml FAIR. Quinoa Vodka
40ml FAIR. Goji Liqueur
15ml vanilla syrup
5ml fresh lemon juice
100ml rooibos, orange & cinnamon tea
50ml cranberry juice
1 fresh stick of lemongrass
2 slices of dried orange
2 slices of dried pear
Method 1: Warm version
Place all ingredients in Japanese teapot and steam in coffee machine. Serve warm without addition of ice with 2 teacups and small bowl mixed dry fruits.
Method 2: Cold version
Place all ingredients in cocktail shaker, apart from fresh lemongrass and dried fruits. Shake gently and double strain over ice cubes (dry ice) in Japanese ceramic teapot. Serve with 2 teacups and small bowl of mixed dry fruits.
The cocktail is the creation of award-winning mixologist Boris Ivan, protégé of Zoran Peric with whom he worked at the Soho Hotel. Boris Ivan studied molecular mixology and completed a thesis on the topic in Prague.
To try the cocktail for yourself, prepared by one of London’s top mixologists, visit Longitude 0°8’ at Le Méridien Piccadilly from 29th November. Booking is recommended. For reservations or further information, visit longitude08.co.uk.
