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Night Flower

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Night FlowerKimberly Sentner

This aphrodisiac-laden mocktail comes from NYC's Museum of Sex and is a perfect way to set the mood on Valentine's Day. The recipe makes enough almond and jasmine elixirs for eight drinks; if you're making only two, refrigerate both elixirs and they will last up to two weeks. If you can't find granulated honey, substitute raw cane sugar.

To make the Night Flower alcoholic, add two ounces of St. Germain (elderflower liqueur) or vodka to each drink.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 2 drinks

Ingredients

For the almond elixir:

8 ounces almond syrup*
10 raw blanched almonds
8 ounces distilled or tap water

For the jasmine elixir:

1/2 cup dried jasmine flowers*
24 ounces distilled or tap water

For the Night Flower:

Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup granulated honey*
2 ounces almond elixir
2 ounces jasmine elixir
2 ounces simple syrup
Ice
9 ounces soda water
*Almond syrup, dried jasmine flowers, and granulated honey are available online and from some specialty food stores.

Preparation

  1. Make the almond elixir:

    Step 1

    In a small saucepan, bring the almond syrup and distilled or tap water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to moderate and simmer, uncovered, until reduced by half, 12 to 15 minutes. DO AHEAD: Almond elixir can be prepared in advance and refrigerated up to 2 weeks.

  2. Make the jasmine elixir:

    Step 2

    In a small saucepan, bring the jasmine flowers and distilled or tap water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to moderate and simmer, uncovered, until reduced by half, about 15 minutes. DO AHEAD: Jasmine elixir can be prepared in advance and refrigerated up to 2 weeks.

  3. Make the Night Flower:

    Step 3

    Pour the lime juice onto a small plate and spread the granulated honey on a second small plate. Dip the rim of a 12-ounce glass into the lime juice, then dip it into the granulated honey to lightly coat. Repeat with a second 12-ounce glass.

    Step 4

    Pour 1 ounce each of the almond elixir, jasmine elixir, and simple syrup into each prepared glass. Add ice and enough soda water to fill each glass.

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