5 Ways To Use Jackfruit In Signature House Party Cocktails
From jackfruit-infused spirits to homemade jackfruit bitters, there are a number of ways in which the king of fruits can be used to blend cocktails. Known for its distinctly sweet flavour and fragrance as well as its fleshy texture, jackfruit has over time become an interesting addition to contemporary mixology as a fruit that can add depth, texture and flair to drinks.
Whether it is a ripe jackfruit complete with a honeyed aroma or an unripe one with more nuanced flavours and a mild, starchy base, this ingredient can be featured prominently in cocktails to add that tropical, tiki note and fruity sweetness into them. What’s more, such creative, bar-quality mixes can literally become one of your signature serves whenever you entertain guests at home.
Read on below to know more about some of the ways in which the jackfruit can be incorporated into the cocktails blended at your next house party:
Jackfruit-Infused Spirits
One of the simplest ways to introduce jackfruits into cocktails is in the form of spirits infused with its flavours. Craft these spirit infusions at home by soaking chopped, ripe jackfruits in drinks like white rum, tequila or gin for at least a week. About 30 ml of these floral, sweet liquors can subsequently be used to make daiquiris, margaritas or spritzes. Such infused spirits can become the showstopper at your house party when they are used to blend versatile cocktails complete with underlying honeyed, sweet, fruity tropical tones.
Homemade Jackfruit Bitters
Another way to incorporate jackfruits in cocktails is in the form of bitters. This is a flavour accent generally crafted by steeping fruits, herbs and other aromatics in alcohol to extract their robust tasting notes. Just a couple of dashes of bitters are enough to introduce lots of pronounced flavours into cocktail blends. Crafting jackfruit bitters would follow a similar process of steeping jackfruit chunks in pure alcohol with a herb or two for building more flavour and aroma. These homemade bitters can then be used to lend old fashioned and whisky sours a tropical upgrade.
Jackfruit Puree
Craft jackfruit puree out of the ripe fruit by blending it with coconut milk or pineapple juice. Strain the puree so it acquires a silky, smooth texture. This velvety fruity flavour accent can then be used to prepare tropical tiki cocktails. It can also be used to make tropical coolers by combining it with a tablespoon of lime juice and about 30 ml of good quality vodka before topping the fruity mix off with 45 ml club soda. The finely strained puree infuses subtle flavours of this fruit into drinks – as a sublime tropical undertone.
Grilled Jackfruit Garnish
Use chunky jackfruit slices to garnish your tiki-themed drinks by introducing a smoky touch into them. Brush ripe jackfruit slices with honey and lightly grill them on an open flame. The charred, bright-yellow fruit can be used to adorn drinks like a rum punch or a mai tai, which is inherently complete with fruity flavours. Smoky notes infused with sweet jackfruit flavours will build more layered tropical flavours into these blends.
Jackfruit Ice Cubes
What is rapidly regaining popularity among mixologists as an interesting flavour addition as well as an aesthetic garnishing option is ice cubes crafted out of different tropical fruits. Jackfruit is no different. Ripe jackfruit puree can be poured into ice moulds and frozen for subsequent use in drinks like tiki punches or spritzers that carry a tropical flair. Jackfruit flavours tend to pair well with those of rum or tequila, making these ice cubes suitable additions to smoky-sweet margaritas and certain daiquiri variations.
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