Cocktail & Other Recipes By Spirit Cognac & Other Brandy Cocktails

Anti-Inflammatory

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Liquor.com
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Updated 01/19/23
bright-yellow anti-inflammatory cocktail in a snifter, garnished with chili oil and a cilantro sprig

Saffron NOLA

Turmeric is prized for its vibrant color, fragrant aroma and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s used in Indian curries and other beloved dishes, plus drinks like Golden Milk Tea, a combination of coconut milk, turmeric and honey. Saffron NOLA, a modern Indian restaurant in New Orleans, deftly employs the earthy root in its kitchen and behind the bar.

The elegant space and menu are enhanced by general manager and beverage director Ashwin Vilkhu’s cocktails, which showcase Indian ingredients while riffing on the classics. Inspired by an elixir of warm milk, honey and turmeric that his mom would give him before bed, the Anti-Inflammatory also plays off a New Orleans staple, the Brandy Milk Punch, a blend of milk, brandy, vanilla extract and powdered sugar.

The soothing drink combines cognac with turmeric-infused coconut milk and honey syrup over crushed ice, garnished with a cilantro sprig and drops of chile oil. Vilkhu dry-shakes the cognac, coconut milk and honey, creating a frothy mixture that’s rich and luxurious. The chile oil brings a hint of spice with each sip, while the cilantro provides bright, herbal aromas. The cocktail may not cure your sore joints, but it’s tasty and comforting, so it will at least help you forget about those aches and pains for a while.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces cognac

  • 1 1/2 ounces turmeric-infused coconut milk*

  • 1/2 ounce honey syrup

  • Garnish: 5 drops chile oil

  • Garnish: cilantro sprig

Steps

  1. Add the cognac, turmeric-infused coconut milk and honey syrup into a shaker and dry-shake (without ice) vigorously.

  2. Pour into a snifter over crushed ice.

  3. Garnish with the chile oil drops and a sprig of cilantro.

*Turmeric-infused coconut milk: Dry-roast 1 tablespoon turmeric powder in a pan for 3 to 5 minutes on medium heat, then stir the roasted turmeric into 15 ounces of coconut milk.