Heart-Shaped Box

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Cocktail History

The Heart-Shaped Box is a modern cocktail that was created by Brad Farran at Death & Company in New York City, New York. Named for the popular Nirvana song that was released in 1993, the recipe mixes French brandy with a unique flavor combination of floral elderflower, tart lemon, sugary cinnamon syrup, savory balsamic vinegar, aromatic bitters, and strawberries to make a sweet yet spicy and sophisticated drink.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Cognac: This is a type of brandy made in the Cognac region of France with grapes and yeast, which are distilled and then aged in oak barrels to develop a smooth, complex flavor.

Elderflower Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with elderflower blossoms, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a light, floral flavor.

Lemon Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe lemons that has a sweet, tangy flavor and light yellow color.

Cinnamon Syrup: This is a sweetener made with cinnamon sticks, white sugar, and water, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a spiced, aromatic flavor.

Balsamic Vinegar: This is a type of vinegar made with cooked grape must that’s fermented and then aged to develop a rich, sweet-tart flavor.

Aromatic Bitters: This is a concentrated flavoring made with a blend of herbs, spices, roots, and botanicals, and distilled alcohol, which are macerated or steeped to develop an aromatic, bittersweet flavor.

Strawberries: This is a type of berry grown on low plants that has bright red skin speckled with yellow seeds and tart, sweet flavor.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Courvoisier VSOP Cognac
• 🔗 St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur
• 🔗 Liber & Co. Cinnamon Syrup
• 🔗 365 By Whole Foods Market Organic Balsamic Vinegar of Moderna
• 🔗 Woodford Reserve Aromatic Bitters

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker made with a large metal tin and a second tin or mixing glass that’s used for shaking and chilling cocktail ingredients.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a flat metal strainer with a handle and a coiled spring around the edge that’s used for straining shaken cocktails from a shaker while holding back ice and solids.

Cutting Board: This is a flat, durable kitchen surface made from materials like wood or plastic that’s used for slicing ingredients and preparing garnishes.

Paring Knife: This is a small kitchen knife with a narrow, sharp blade that’s used for peeling fruit and trimming garnishes.

Electric Citrus Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance with a motorized reamer that’s used for quickly extracting juice from citrus fruits.

Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a mesh metal strainer with a tightly woven bowl and handle that’s used for straining out small ice shards and other solids while pouring cocktails from a shaker or mixing glass.

Measuring Cup: This is a kitchen tool with a handled cup and marked volume measurements that’s used for accurately measuring and pouring liquid ingredients.

Muddler: This is a handheld bar tool with a thick handle and flat or textured end that’s used for crushing ingredients to release their flavors.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender skewer made from metal, wood, or bamboo that’s used for holding cocktail garnishes in place.

Lowball Glass: This is a short, wide glass with a thick base that’s used for serving cocktails with ice or spirits neat.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Hawthorne Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife
• 🔗 BLACK+DECKER 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer
• 🔗 Barfly Silver Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Angled Measuring Cup
• 🔗 OXO Steel Cocktail Muddler
• 🔗 Viski Gunmetal Cocktail Pick Set
• 🔗 Viski Reserve Milo Lowball Glass

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Light red-ish brown color

• Aroma: Strawberry and florals

• Taste: Complex brandy, baking spices, and elderflower flavor

• Finish: Tart lemon and tangy vinegar

Kendall’s Take: “If you’re on the lookout for what could pass as a Valentine’s Day-inspired cocktail that has a more masculine vibe to it, this is a fabulous choice. The spicy brandy and cinnamon blend surprisingly well with the recipe’s fruity and floral notes, and the vinegar is a wildcard that adds an intriguing savoriness. I really, really liked the Heart-Shaped Box and could see myself sipping it again in the fall and winter months.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails by Alex Day and Nick Fauchald.