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.

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.

Muddler: This is used to muddle ingredients. I used the HQY Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler.

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 Viski Gunmetal Cocktail Pick Set.

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.