Elements: Cardamom co*cktails (2024)

Story: Gabrielle Nicole Pharms

Photo: John Valls

November 29, 2022

November 29, 2022

Elements: Cardamom co*cktails (1)

Few ingredients can transition seasons as seamlessly as cardamom. Black cardamom’s the champion of savory dishes, packing a slightly smoky and minty flavor. In contrast, green cardamom adds a citrusy sweet kick to confectionary treats, and white cardamom has the mildest flavor profile of the varieties.

Regardless of the type of cardamom used, it’s a power-packed, aromatic spice that can give co*cktails an enjoyable, zesty kick—when wielded correctly. “Cardamom is a delicate yet aggressive ingredient; a little can go a long way,” says Ryan Andrade, beverage director at The White Hart Inn & Restaurant in Salisbury, Connecticut. “However, if balanced correctly with the right ingredients, it can truly create a beautiful thing.”

Cardamom bitters make their way into Andrade’s Lolita co*cktail, which he first crafted at home after noticing the enthusiasm among the bar’s guests for Negroni variations, and their taste for tequila. “I decided I wanted to craft something that would appeal to those who’d like a Negroni, but would also be intrigued by the sweet yet spicy notes of cardamom, and enticed by the exotic, yet homey notes that came with it.”

Lolita

This rich, moody Negroni riff is accented with cardamom’s warm aromatics.

1 1/2 oz. reposado tequila
1 oz. Campari
1/2 oz. Bigallet China China (or substitute Ramazzotti)
2 dashes cardamom bitters

Tools: barspoon, strainer
Glass: Nick & Nora
Garnish: orange twist

Stir all of the ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled glass. Twist the orange peel over the drink, and use as garnish.

Ryan Andrade, White Hart Inn, Salisbury, Connecticut

Cardamom’s the ingredient of choice among other bartenders searching to create a harmonious spice-sweet balance. At Elysian Bar in New Orleans’ Hotel Peter and Paul, bartenders use a pinch of ground cardamom to add fragrant depth and a spicy resonance to the Fletcher’s Paradise co*cktail (created by former beverage director Ben Hatch), made with Madeira, pineapple liqueur, and Cognac. Cardamom’s aromatics are further enhanced with a sprinkle of cardamom as garnish, along with a light spritz of cardamom tincture.

Fletcher’s Paradise

Ground cardamom and cardamom tincture add a fragrant lift to this elegant co*cktail.

1 1/2 oz. Madeira (Elysian Bar uses Broadbent 5 year old)
1 oz. pineapple liqueur (such as Giffard)
1/2 oz. Cognac
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 pinch of ground cardamom

Tools: shaker, strainer
Glass: julep cup
Garnish: dried pineapple, fresh mint, cardamom tincture (optional), ground cardamom

Shake all of the ingredients with ice, then strain into a julep cup filled with crushed ice. Add more crushed ice to form a dome, then garnish with a spritz of cardamom tincture (optional), ground cardamom, a mint sprig, and dried pineapple. Serve with two short straws.
Cardamom TinctureIn a jar, lightly crush 1 Tbsp. of cardamom pods with a muddler or wooden spoon, then add 4 oz. of vodka, preferably higher proof. Let infuse for 3-5 days, shaking the jar every day, until it’s reached the desired intensity. Strain and bottle for use; keeps indefinitely.

Ben Hatch for Elysian Bar, New Orleans

Alexandria Craig, senior bartender at Valkyrie in Tulsa, Oklahoma, came up with the Flower, a spicy, gin-based riff on a hibiscus lemonade. She includes cardamom in the drink (designed for a recent plant-themed menu) to give it a hint of warmth and complexity. “I feel like cardamom is used some, but not as frequently [as it should], considering how cool it is as an ingredient for co*cktails. It adds an extra note that carries through the dynamic of the co*cktail,” Craig says. “Cardamom is unique in a way that’s almost minty or eucalyptus, but it also has that black pepper note. It isn’t just sitting there—it’s throughout the co*cktail without getting watered down or becoming too spicy.”

Flower

The bright florals of hibiscus, elderflower, and rose are balanced by the spicy depth of cardamom syrup.

1 1/2 oz. hibiscus gin
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. hibiscus syrup
1/4 oz. honey syrup (1:1)
1/4 oz. cardamom syrup
1/4 oz. elderflower liqueur
6 drops rose water
4 drops salt solution (4:1 water to salt)

Tools: shaker
Glass: Old Fashioned
Garnish: edible flower

Shake all of the ingredients with ice, then pour into a glass and garnish.
Hibiscus GinIn a large jar, combine 1 liter of gin (Valkyrie uses Hayman’s Royal Dock) with 1 1/2 cups of dried hibiscus flowers. Let infuse for 20 minutes, then strain and bottle for use. Keeps
indefinitely, though the color and flavor will fade over time.
Hibiscus SyrupIn a saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 cup of water, and 1/2 cup of dried hibiscus flowers. Simmer over medium heat, whisking to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat and let cool. Squeeze 7 strips of lemon peel (from 3-4 lemons) into the syrup, then strain into a bottle. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Cardamom SyrupIn a saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 cup of water, and 1 Tbsp.
of cardamom seeds, coarsely broken in a spice grinder. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from heat and let infuse overnight. Finely strain the syrup into a bottle. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Alexandria Craig, Valkyrie, Tulsa

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Gabrielle Nicole Pharms

Upon attending her first whiskey tasting in Houston, Texas, Gabrielle Nicole Pharms became a lover of the brown spirit. Fast-forward three years later, and she’s since taken a deeper dive into the people, places, and stories beyond the world of whiskey and into craft beer, wine, and spirits. Before her career in journalism, she was an e-commerce fashion buyer that also worked as a freelance writer on the side. With an itch to expand her horizons, she left her career in e-commerce to pursue media full-time. She’s written for many publications including Bourbon+, Wine Enthusiast, UPROXX, Whisky Advocate, and more. She made her Imbibe debut in the November/December issue with an informative piece on the Italian spirit, amaretto.

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Elements: Cardamom co*cktails (13)

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Elements: Cardamom co*cktails (2024)

FAQs

What mixes well with cardamom? ›

Cardamom harmonizes beautifully with warming spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, to infuse dishes with captivating essence. Bringing forth a medley of flavor, this remarkable spice can elevate a variety of dishes, like stews, soups and curries, baked goods, desserts, and beverages such as coffee or tea.

What liquor has cardamom? ›

Black Cardamom Vodka — Cooper King Distillery®

What is cardamom in drinks? ›

In contrast, green cardamom adds a citrusy sweet kick to confectionary treats, and white cardamom has the mildest flavor profile of the varieties. Regardless of the type of cardamom used, it's a power-packed, aromatic spice that can give co*cktails an enjoyable, zesty kick—when wielded correctly.

Who should not use cardamom? ›

People with gallstones should not take cardamom except to flavor food. We also need more research to determine the effects of large amounts of cardamom on women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What does cardamom blend with? ›

Oils that blend well with Cardamom oil

Whether you are creating your own essential oil diffuser blend, or looking for the best companion for Cardamom, consider using Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Fennel, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, or citrus essential oils.

What does cardamom do for the liver? ›

The liver is a powerhouse organ. So, it's important that it stays in tip-top shape to ensure that it's capable of handling the many functions it's tasked with. Cardamom can help in doing so, as it has been shown to reduce liver fat, lower liver stress, prevent liver enlargement and simply improve overall liver health.

How to add cardamom to co*cktails? ›

Simply add approximately 5 drops to each drink and you're done. But don't let the small amount fool you! The bitters add incredible flavor to a traditional gin & tonic and a warm and complex aroma. Additionally, cardamom has a piney and fruity flavor that melds splendidly with the gin and the fresh lime juice.

How to use cardamom for flat tummy? ›

All you need to do is to crush the cardamom pod and extract seeds from it. Now add the pod peel and seeds in a glassful of water and leave it overnight. Drink it first thing in the morning to make the most of it. You could also use cardamom powder instead of the pods.

How do you drink cardamom? ›

You can brew cardamom tea. Crush a few cardamom pods, boil them with water, and steep to make a flavourful tea. You can also add cardamon to savoury dishes. Add cardamom powder or crushed pods to curries, stews, rice dishes, or sauces for a unique taste.

What gin has cardamom? ›

Hotham's Cardamom Gin - Award-winning artisan gin. - Hotham's Distillery.

What fruit is cardamom? ›

Cardamom is the dried fruit of Elettaria cardamomum Maton (Zingiberaceae). It is popularly known as the 'queen of spices. ' There are many varieties, which are classified on the basis of their capsule size and color. Some of the important varieties are Alleppey, Mysore, Malabar, and Mangalore cardamoms.

What does cardamom do to the body? ›

In preliminary research studies, cardamom has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, cholesterol-lowering, and blood sugar–lowering effects. 3 Yet, clinical trials proving these and other health benefits are few and far between.

What goes with cardamom? ›

Closer to its home country, cardamom has been paired with bolder flavors like ginger (a close relative), coffee, tea, and meat of all kinds. In some areas, the spice is considered essential to a humdrum pot of coffee or tea, and it's difficult to imagine a lamb biryani without some cardamom pods nestled among the rice.

What do you do with cardamom bitters? ›

Commonly consumed after a meal, cardamom is a terrific digestion aid and is frequently used to settle upset stomach, tame nausea, and even freshens your breath. Strongwater Golden bitters is infused with whole organic green cardamom pods. Try it in tea, coffee, desserts, or use alone as a natural breath freshener.

How can I enhance my cardamom flavor? ›

When cooking with cardamom, consider starting with whole pods and grinding your own powder from the seeds. To do so, first toast the pods in a skillet. This helps bring out the flavor and makes it easier to open.

How do you pair cardamom? ›

Apples are a prime example (cardamom is perfect in pie), as are pears. Grapes are another fine pairing—that is, once converted into wine (try mulling wine with a couple pods). As are earthy, hearty legumes, most typically in the Indian lentil stew called daal.

What scent pairs well with cardamom? ›

The fragrance of cardamom blends well with bergamot, rose, cedar, cinnamon, clove, orange and ylang ylang. You can experiment and blend your own special fragrance or choose one of our unique blends to use as a personal all natural perfume or to customize one of our unscented products.

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