Federal Ave. Swizzle: Complicated, But Worth It

The Federal Ave. Swizzle cocktail is a refreshing blend that transports the senses to a serene, tropical paradise with its unique combination of ingredients.

It melds the botanical notes of Fords Gin with the subtle flavors of sake, the hydration of coconut water, the tanginess of lime and turmeric juice, and the aromatic complexity of homemade spiced syrup.

This cocktail recipe experiments with flavours, creating a drink that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Here’s how to make the Federal Ave. Swizzle, including the preparation of the spiced syrup.

The Federal Ave. Swizzle Ingredients:

• Fords Gin (1 ounce / 30 ml): A well-balanced gin that adds a crisp, floral base to the cocktail.
• Sake (1 ounce / 30 ml): Sake adds a delicate, rice-derived smoothness.
• Coconut Water (1 ounce / 30 ml): Offers a refreshing, lightly sweet hydration element.
• Lime Juice (1/2 ounce / 15 ml, freshly squeezed): Adds a bright citrus note.
• Turmeric Juice (1/4 ounce / 7.5 ml): Gives earthy flavors and a vibrant color.
• Spiced Syrup (3/4 ounce / 22.5 ml): A homemade syrup that infuses the drink with a rich tapestry of spices and sweetness.
• Garnishes: A mint sprig for freshness and a lime twist for aromatic citrus zest.

The Federal Ave. Swizzle Recipe:

1. Prepare Spiced Syrup:
   • In a large pot, combine 1 quart (approx. 946 ml) of water with an equal amount of sugar, 1 chopped 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, 2 makrut lime leaves, 1 teaspoon of rosewater, 10 Korean chili threads, 6 cracked cardamom pods, 2 cracked lemongrass stalks, and 10 mint leaves.
   • Heat the mixture over medium heat until it simmers. Let it steep for 1 hour off the heat to allow the flavors to fully infuse.
   • After chilling the syrup, strain it through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer to remove solids. This spiced syrup can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
2. Mix the Cocktail:
   • In a tall glass (generally a highball glass), combine 30 ml (1 ounce) each of Fords Gin, sake, coconut water, 15 ml (1/2 ounce) of freshly squeezed lime juice, 7.5 ml (1/4 ounce) of turmeric juice, and 22.5 ml (3/4 ounce) of the prepared spiced syrup.
3. Swizzle:
   • Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice and use a swizzle stick (or bar spoon) to swizzle the mixture for about 10 seconds. This method mixes the ingredients thoroughly while chilling the drink.
4. Finish and Garnish:
   • Top the glass with more crushed ice to form a mound at the top. Garnish the cocktail with a sprig of fresh mint and a twist of lime, adding a final touch of freshness and visual appeal.

The Federal Ave Swizzle Cocktail :

The Swizzle stands out in the cocktail world, noticed more by its unique method of preparation rather than specific ingredients.

This drink is traditionally served in tall glasses filled with crushed or pebble ice and mixed by a technique known as “swizzling” using a long-stemmed bar spoon or a specialized tool dubbed a swizzle stick.

McLain Hedges, while at the no longer operational RiNo Yacht Club in Denver, Colorado, introduced the Federal Ave. Swizzle, a drink that is not for the faint-hearted due to its eclectic components and the intricate syrup it requires. Predominantly a gin-based cocktail, this mix blends an assortment of ingredients to create an unforgettable tipple.

The initial step towards concocting the Federal Ave. Swizzle involves making the spiced syrup, which is quite the undertaking given it’s designed for bar-scale production and challenging to scale down for smaller servings. It’s most practical to prepare this for larger gatherings to avoid an excess. This syrup, with its lively, herbal, and mildly spicy notes, offers versatility and can be experimented with in other cocktails such as the Tom Collins or Gimlet, depending on preference.

Fords Gin, a London dry gin crafted with the mixologist in mind, serves as the foundational spirit of the swizzle. The cocktail is further enhanced with equal measures of sake and coconut water, lending it a distinct brightness, refreshment, and a smooth texture.

The inclusion of turmeric juice (which should not be replaced with its powdered counterpart) imparts a gentle spiciness and a golden hue, rounding off the drink’s complex profile.

Check out more coconut based cocktail recipes.