The Asian Persuasion Cocktail is the perfect union of East meeting West, a fusion drink made with a unique Canadian gin and Japanese matcha powder.
I bet you do not know a whole lot about the Canadian Arctic. I am from Canada and I do not know a lot about that part of my country. But I did recently make one fabulous discovery: Ungava Gin. I was just as shocked as you are right now, there is a fabulous gin being made from hand-picked ingredients found in the far north reaches of Quebec. And with it, I made the Asian Persuasion Cocktail.
So gin and I go a long way back. The very first cocktail I ever had was a Gin Tonic. It was one of those family holiday dinners. Gin Tonic was all the rage back then. And I remember stealing the occasional sip of De Kuyper…only once or twice because that stuff is vile!
Gin took a back seat after that for many years but I have been rediscovering it in the last years with modern exotic cocktail recipes. Some bars now offer a wide selection of gins to try with your mixes, the liquor store is stocked with many new brands and gin lovers can even get their hands on gin gift sets for their home bar.
A Gin like no other
Now the first noticeable feature of this gin – besides the cool bottle – is obviously its bright yellow color. The color comes from the Canadian arctic plant ingredients found in Ungava Gin, which includes Nordic Juniper, Wild Rose Hips, Cloudberry, Crowberry, Arctic Blend and Labrador Tea, that are harvested by hand during the short summer season and then infused in the spirit.
Ungava Canadian Premium Gin, the winner of several world competitions, is now available across Canada and in several other countries.
They are also the reason behind the smooth (even at 43% alc/vol), distinctive flavor, which I would describe as sweet and lemony after the initial juniper alcoholic shock (taste-tested the stuff straight hi hi). Then you taste a mix of tart berries, finishing off with a mix again of sweet and a light bitterness.
Taking a sip is like taking a trip for your taste buds.
The Ungava Peninsula is a vast unspoiled wild territory at the northern tip of Quebec, Canada. It is an Inuit term meaning “towards the open water”. This magnificent land has been home to the Inuit people and their ancestors for thousands of years.
Still nomadic two generations ago, the Inuit have settled in villages along the coast or at the river deltas where, every summer, they continue to hunt, to fish and harvest the precious gifts of the tundra before the onset of another long, hard 9-month long winter.
The Asian Persuasion Cocktail
I found this unusual cocktail recipe with matcha on the website of Domaine Pinnacle which gives it a real an international fusion flair. Domaine Pinnacle is a leading producer of specialty alcoholic beverages who makes this gin, the first authentic all-Canadian gin.
We all really enjoyed the refreshing taste of this Asian Persuasion cocktail. The color of it could use some work, perhaps a drop of green food coloring? But the herbal flavor of the gin and the matcha together was perfect.
Asian Persuasion Cocktail
Ingredients
For the cocktail
- 1 oz 30ml Ungava gin
- 1 oz 30ml lime juice
- 1/2 oz 15ml green tea syrup
- 1 oz 30ml club soda
For the green tea syrup
- 1 tbsp matcha powder
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cup hot water
Instructions
For the cocktail
- In a shaker place gin, lime juice, green tea syrup and a bit of ice. Shake well.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top off with club soda.
For the green tea syrup
- Mix sugar and green tea powder in a bowl. Add hot water in the bowl and stir well. Let it cool.
The product was sent to me free of charge and I was asked to provide an honest and fair opinion. I did not receive any remuneration.
PIN IT FOR LATER! https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/266275396704386226
Looks refreshing and delicious! I’ve never heard of Ungava gin (but I’m not very familiar with alcohol in general) and curious to taste… and what? Green tea syrup? There’s such thing existed? I have to go find it!
it looks perfect
What a great time of the year for you! I like that cocktail very much…that Ungava gin must taste fantastic, made with these arctic plants!
🙂 ela
It does taste great Ela and you do taste the herbs and plants
You have me at that green tea syrup! The drink sounds very refreshing.
Angie I think I need to make some green tea syrup ahead too hihi
What a unique gin…that color is one for the books, no??? Enjoy all the festivities, my friend…looks like a terrific cocktail to toast the first event!
Yeah it is a unique color Liz!
It sure sounds like a great discovery. I know I will love this cocktail. Lime and green tea are two ingredients I love in a cocktail.
Same here for the lime and green tea!
Looks tasty. Gin is one of those alcohols that I haven’t really given a proper chance. I will have to do that soon.
Totally Agustin, when are we going for a drink? 🙂
Even though I have no idea if this type of gin circulates here in Greece, I would love to sip this delicious cocktail along with some friends!
I am sure you would love it Katerina!
What an interesting looking product! And the yellow colour really distinguishes it. I’ve never had De Kuyper but it sounds like I’m not missing out on much 😛
H ah a yep forget De Kuyper and go with Ungava
This time of the year is also full of holidays and birthdays in my family. Your cocktail is exactly what I need to deal with all the stress, lol!:) I haven’t heard of Ungava gin — thanks for discovering it and sharing with us.
Well Nancy chin chin to our mutual stresses!