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 type of water that’s made with water and carbon dioxide gas infused under pressure.

Gin: This is a spirit that’s made with alcohol, water, juniper berries, and other botanicals.

Sweet Vermouth: This is a fortified wine that’s made with grapes, sugar, alcohol, water, herbs, and botanicals.

Prickly Pear Syrup: This is a sweetener that’s made with prickly pear slices, white sugar, and water.

Campari: This is a liqueur that’s made in Italy with alcohol, water, gentian root, rhubarb, citrus, herbs, aromatic plants, and fruit.

Heering Cherry Liqueur: This is a liqueur that’s made in Denmark with alcohol, water, Stevens cherries, baking spices, almonds, and sugar.

Smoke & Salt Bitters: This is a concentrated flavoring that’s made with alcohol, lapsang souchong tea, sea salt, and botanicals.

Cherry: This is a fruit that’s made by soaking cherries in brandy, water, and rich 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 to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep your workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz.

Mixing Glass: This is a sturdy, wide-bowled glass that’s used to stir cocktail ingredients before they’re strained and served.

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

Julep Strainer: This is a flat, perforated metal strainer with a handle that’s used to strain cocktails from a mixing glass into a serving glass while keeping ice and solids behind.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes.

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

Tools I Used

• 🔗 Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Premium Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass
• 🔗 Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Julep Strainer
• 🔗 I-MART Stainless Steel 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