My Only Hope

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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 fermented sugarcane juice or molasses and yeast, which are distilled and then aged, often in charred barrels, to develop a full-bodied, caramelized flavor.

Star Fruit Syrup: This is a sweetener made with star fruit juice and white sugar, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a bright, tangy flavor.

Lime Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe limes that has a zesty, sour flavor and light green color.

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

Ginger Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with ginger root, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a bright, spicy flavor.

Star Fruit Slice: This is a tropical fruit called carambola that has crisp, juicy flesh and a mildly sweet-tart flavor and naturally forms a star shape when sliced.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Ron Cihaután 8 Year Indigo Rum
• 🔗 ODVI Armagnac
• 🔗 Domaine De Canton Ginger Liqueur

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.

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

Coupe Glass: This is a stemmed glass with a shallow, wide bowl that’s used for serving shaken cocktails and sparkling drinks without ice.

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
• 🔗 I-MART Silver Metal Cocktail Pick Set

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Bright, sunny yellow color
• Aroma: Fresh star fruit accented with subtle vanilla
• Taste: Exotic fruits at first, followed by warm ginger and brandy spices
• Finish: Lingering notes of vanilla, sweet star fruit, and zesty lime

Kendall’s Take
“Of all my original Star Wars cocktails, this one might just take the crown. The star fruit syrup makes it truly unique, lending a bright, exotic note to the spicy rum, ginger, and lime mixture. Plus, its inspiration being starblossom—a fruit mentioned as being native to Leia’s home planet of Alderaan—feels just right. While star fruit itself isn’t the most affordable ingredient, making a batch of the syrup is absolutely worth it. It turns the My Only Hope into a cocktail that’s as delightful as it is fitting for our princess.”

Recipe