Searching for Elusive Spirits
The hunt is on for some extra-special spirits, and so far it’s been a Holy Grail-like journey with nothing to show for it. We’ve been planning an Indian-themed birthday weekend for Jo Jo and her brother Wally, and I’ve found a cocktail that sounds amazing – the Nagpur. One of the ingredients, however, is Sub Rosa Saffron vodka – a specialty vodka produced in Oregon and seemingly unavailable in New York. Having recently located a small bottle of saffron, I toyed with the idea of creating my own little vodka infusion, but I’m not quite ready to give up all that saffron for a cocktail or two. Besides, if someone else has already done the work, I’d rather contribute to their enterprise than start my own.
According to the Sub Rosa Spirits website, “The Saffron vodka is intense. As complex as a gin with 8 spices, this distillate is beguiling with toasted cumin on the nose, lemony coriander on the mid-palate, a hint of ginger, just a touch of heat and the aromatics of saffron at the end. Inspired by Indian and Asian food… These vodkas use fresh ingredients and darn expensive ones too. Saffron is the most expensive spice on the planet. No essential oils were used for flavoring. What you taste is fresh herbs and spices suspended in alcohol.”
That sounds heavenly, and the perfect base for the Nagpur. It would also work wonderfully with the chicken makhani, basmati rice, and red lentil curry I have planned for the meal.
The other libation is more simple and straightforward – Cobra Beer. This is less important for me as I don’t really drink beer, but it would be nice to offer our guests something with an Indian tint to it, and I’m told Wally loves the Cobra Beer, so we’ll continue to look.