I was asked a few months back to create some cocktails with unusual ingredients using particular spirits. Exotic fruits and vegetables and whatever else I could come up with. I also didn’t have much time but I have realized that some of my best cocktails have been created when I’ve been pressed for time! Luckily I live in New York City where you can find just about anything you’re looking for! So my adventure began!

I started out with Domaine De Canton. I love, love, love ginger!!! I use it often in my cocktails. What is so great about Domaine De Canton is that it gives a sweet, fresh ginger component without being overpowering. The soft, subtle spice of baby ginger with eaux de vie and cognac was just perfect.

The next spirit I used is Stranahan’s. A small batch whiskey distilled in Colorado. Stranahan’s is a straight whiskey that is aged in new charred oak barrels like bourbon and made with water from springs in Colorado. Whether you’re a rye fan or a bourbon fan you have to try this stuff! I was also lucky enough to meet Rob Deitrich their head distiller and he is a really cool guy!

Ok, Now that I have my base spirits it was off to find my unusual ingredients. I headed to Chinatown for this one. I knew that I could find what I was looking for there. I saw a gigantic, strange looking fruit on one of the carts. It’s called the Jackfruit It’s actually originally from India and one of the largest fruits in the world. The lovely lady cut me off a piece to try and I was sold! It tastes like a combination of apples, pineapple, mangos and banana. I know, I know that sounds like a lot but that’s what it tastes like! Luckily I could buy just a part of the fruit because they were literally about 50 pounds and they can grow up to 80 pounds!

So I wandered around and into a market when a beautiful golden fruit caught my eye. It’s called the golden melon and it tastes like a rich, velvety honeydew. The flesh is absolutely gorgeous and I knew it would give my cocktail a beautiful rich color. I was sold! I then wandered around the vegetable section and I noticed some sugar snap peas . I just love them and I knew they would complement my other ingredients.

So I gathered my bounty and made a delicious puree with the addition of some lemon to balance out the natural sweetness of my wonderful ingredients.

I also wanted to add some other unusual ingredients that aren’t normally used in cocktails to give my drink some contrast, color and compliment the spirits and fruit. I added some toasted black sesame seeds and finished with a dash of paprika. They made my cocktail more exotic. It sounds like there’s a lot going on but they all complement each other beautifully!

Last but not least the name. Sometimes it just comes to me and sometimes it takes a while. I was listening to my ipod which is full of 80’s music. I heard the lyrics to a Pretenders song “ Maybe tomorrow, maybe someday” . Maybe Someday! That’s it!

So that’s the story for one of my unusual cocktails. I know this one has quit a bit going on but it all blends together so well. You should try one. Or two! It’s quite delicious I must say! Cheers everyone!