Food Know How - Allspice Berry

THE ALLSPICE BERRY

WHILE IT ORIGINALLY WAS ONLY NATIVE TO THE GREATER ANTILLES, SOUTHERN MEXICO, AND CENTRAL AMERICA, THE ALLSPICE BERRY HAS BECOME CENTRAL TO CUISINES WORLDWIDE. THE SPICE STARTS AS AN UNRIPE BERRY ON A LARGE TREE HARVESTED AND DRIED BEFORE BEING GROUND OR SOLD WHOLE. THE SPICE HAS A FLAVOR PROFILE SIMILAR TO A COMBINATION OF CINNAMON, CLOVE, AND NUTMEG.

Bartender David Leon is a big fan of Allspice and its use in craft cocktails. One of his favorite ways to use the spice is in an Allspice infused aquafaba. “This lovely berry was discovered by the Taino people, the indigenous people of the Caribbean,” shares Leon. “This berry is packed with flavor and can be used in several different ways for that reason I love using it my cocktails in whatever way I can, whether it's an infusion or a liqueur, the possibilities go on!” Leon pairs his infused aquafaba with Gentlemen Jack Whiskey, lime juice, and roasted banana demerara in this cocktail, but says the flavor works with a wide range of spirits and other flavor profiles. “I created this cocktail when I was chosen to be a part of the Culture Shakers program, I wanted to show my Puerto Rican pride by crafting a cocktail with delicious tropical ingredients and Allspice always makes it easy to do.”

ANANSI

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz. Gentlemen Jack Whiskey ½ oz. lime juice ¾ oz. grilled banana cinnamon demerara 1 oz. Allspice-infused aquafaba

PREPARATION

Combine your ingredients in a shaker and shake until chilled. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a spritz of bitters.

PRÓSPERO TEQUILA