The Chosen One

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Cocktail History

The Chosen One is a Novel Nightcaps original cocktail that was created in honor of May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day.

Meant to pay homage to Darth Vader, the iconic villain who began his journey as Anakin Skywalker, the concept for this drink is built around a prickly pear syrup inspired by the desert world of Tatooine, where Anakin’s story began. Gin forms the cocktail’s foundation, offering a clean, botanical canvas that pairs beautifully with sweet vermouth and cherry liqueur for depth and sweetness, as well as smoky bitters as a nod to the darkness of the Sith and Campari, which contributes both complexity and a bold red hue that mirrors the glow of Vader’s lightsaber. Finished with soda water for effervescence, this drink combines striking visuals with an intricate flavor profile, making it a unique toast to Star Wars fans everywhere.

Cocktail Ingredients

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

Soda Water: This is a carbonated beverage made with water and dissolved carbon dioxide gas, which gives it a fizzy, neutral flavor.

Gin: This is a spirit made by redistilling a neutral spirit with juniper berries and other botanicals to develop a distinctive, aromatic flavor.

Sweet Vermouth: This is a type of wine made with red grapes and a blend of herbs and botanicals, which are fermented and then fortified with a neutral spirit and sweetened to develop a rich, grape flavor.

Prickly Pear Syrup: This is a sweetener made with prickly pear slices, white sugar, and water, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a slightly tart flavor.

Campari: This is a liqueur made in Italy with a blend of gentian root, herbs, spices, and citrus, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a bold, bitter orange flavor.

Cherry Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with cherries, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a rich, fruity flavor.

Smoke & Salt Bitters: This is a concentrated flavoring made with lapsang souchong tea, sea salt, herbs, spices, botanicals, and distilled alcohol, which are macerated or steeped to develop a savory, slightly bitter flavor.

Brandied Cherry: This is a type of stone fruit made by soaking maraschino cherries in brandy, water, and spices to make a rich, fruity syrup.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water
• 🔗 Brockmans Intensely Smooth Gin
• 🔗 Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
• 🔗 Campari
• 🔗 Heering Cherry Liqueur
• 🔗 Crude Bitters & Sodas “Porter” Smoke & Salt Bitters
• 🔗 Luxardo Maraschino Cherries

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.

Mixing Glass: This is a sturdy glass vessel with a wide opening that’s used for stirring cocktails with ice before straining and serving.

Julep Strainer: This is a round metal strainer with a perforated bowl shape and handle that’s used for straining stirred cocktails from a mixing glass while holding back ice and solids.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring cocktails, layering ingredients, and reaching the bottom of tall glasses and mixing vessels.

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

Highball Glass: This is a tall, slim glass that’s used for serving mixed drinks made with a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixers.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Julep Strainer
• 🔗 Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon
• 🔗 I-MART Silver Metal Cocktail Pick Set
• 🔗 Durobor Brek Highball Glass

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Vibrant red with a striking ombré effect
• Aroma: Earthy smoke intertwined with subtle fruity hints
• Taste: Sweet, aloe-like base layered with cherry, prickly pear, and vermouth nuances
• Finish: Bold gentian bitterness balanced by lingering smoke and a touch of salt

Kendall’s Take
“This one was a real experiment, but after several tries and a complete rethink of the ingredients, I finally landed on the perfect balance. I had originally aimed for a dark, brooding coffee Negroni to match the character, but the flavors didn’t quite come together. The final mix, a blend of Remember The Maine meets Negroni with prickly pear syrup and a splash of soda, turned it into a refreshing highball. Some Campari fans might notice a touch more sweetness, but to me it strikes a fantastic balance between flavor and concept. The Chosen One is a Darth Vader–inspired cocktail that’s approachable, fun, and absolutely worth sipping.”

Recipe