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Cocktail History
The My Only Hope is a Novel Nightcaps original cocktail that was created in honor of May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day. The recipe was inspired by Princess Leia, a main character in the original Star Wars movie trilogy that was released in the 1970s and 1980s. The concept for the drink was built around a sous vide star fruit syrup as a nod to starblossom, an edible fruit that grew on Leia’s home planet of Alderaan. It then calls for a base of vanilla-flavored rum and spicy French brandy and pairs them with lime for balance as well as a ginger kick in homage to Leia’s feisty demeanor.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Dark Rum: This is a type of rum made with sugarcane, spices, and water that has been barrel aged for an extended period of time. I used Ron Cihuatán 8 Year Indigo Rum.
Star Fruit Syrup: This is a sweetener made with star fruit juice, white sugar, gum Arabic powder, and water. I made mine using this sous vide recipe.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. I used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Armagnac: This is a type of brandy made in Armagnac, France with distilled white wine. I used ODVI Armagnac.
Ginger Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with ginger root, spices, herbs, sugar, and alcohol. I used Domaine De Canton Ginger Liqueur.
Star Fruit Slice: This is a slice of the carambola fruit that looks like a star when cut.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Cocktail Pick: This is used to hold the garnish. I used one from the I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Bright yellow color
• Aroma: Star fruit and slight vanilla notes
• Taste: Exotic fruit on the forefront followed by ginger and brandy spice
• Finish: Lingering vanilla and sweet star fruit and lime
Kendall’s Take: “Of my original Star Wars cocktails, I think I’m going to have to call this one my favorite. It’s so delicious and incredibly unique thanks to the star fruit syrup. I had the idea to use that exotic fruit as a nod to starblossom from Alderaan, Leia’s home planet, and wow, does it make this recipe. Although not the cheapest ingredient, I highly recommend whipping up a batch of the syrup so you can try it in the My Only Hope made in honor of our princess.”
Recipe
My Only Hope
Description
The My Only Hope is a Novel Nightcaps original cocktail that was created in honor of May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day. The recipe was inspired by Princess Leia, a main character in the original Star Wars movie trilogy that was released in the 1970s and 1980s. The concept for the drink was built around a sous vide star fruit syrup as a nod to starblossom, an edible fruit that grew on Leia’s home planet of Alderaan. It then calls for a base of vanilla-flavored rum and spicy French brandy and pairs them with lime for balance as well as a ginger kick in homage to Leia’s feisty demeanor.
Ingredients
Method
Add rum, star fruit syrup, lime juice, brandy, and ginger liqueur to a shaker.
Fill shaker with cubed ice.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Using a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer, strain into a coupe glass.
Garnish with star fruit slice.
