With fat-washed spirits popping up at bars and restaurants, there’s no better time than now to explore the technique that adds savory depth to alcohol, even after the fat is skimmed away. Here, a brown butter wash transforms the vodka in this beverage into a nutty, innovative spirit, that when combined with dry vermouth, cinnamon stick, and peppercorns, has the potential to change happy hour forever.
Brown Butter Vodka Cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick/125 ml) unsalted butter
1 cup (8 ounces/250 ml) vodka
7 McCormick® Cinnamon Sticks, divided
1 tablespoon (15 ml) McCormick® Whole Black Peppercorns
1/2 cup (4 ounces/125 ml) dry vermouth
Directions:
1. Place butter in small saucepan. Heat on medium heat, stirring frequently, until completely melted. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring frequently, until butter is well browned and has a nutty fragrance. Remove from heat immediately when no longer foamy and milk solids have settled to the bottom of the pan (watch for brown specks). Whisk in vodka; add 1 cinnamon stick and peppercorns. Let stand 15 minutes. Place in freezer for 1 hour.
2. Strain butter-washed vodka mixture through fine mesh sieve into cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add vermouth. Shake very well. Strain into 6 ice filled rocks glasses. Garnish with cinnamon sticks. Sprinkle lightly with cracked black pepper to serve, if desired.
Makes 6 servings.
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