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Lucky Devil

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Lucky DevilKimberly 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. This recipe makes enough cinnamon and cardamom 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. The saffron rock candy garnish is optional, so feel free to skip it—the Lucky Devil still has plenty of aphrodisiac power without it.

To make the Lucky Devil alcoholic, add two ounces of rum, Calvados, or vodka to each drink.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 2 drinks

Ingredients

For the cinnamon elixir:

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 sticks cinnamon
16 ounces distilled or tap water

For the cardamom elixir:

1 tablespoon whole cardamom pods
16 ounces distilled or tap water

For the Lucky Devil:

Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup granulated honey*
2 ounces cinnamon elixir
2 ounces cardamom elixir
2 ounces simple syrup
Ice
9 ounces soda water
2 pieces saffron rock candy for garnish*
*Granulated honey and saffron rock candy are available online and from some specialty food stores.

Preparation

  1. Make the cinnamon elixir:

    Step 1

    In a small saucepan, bring the ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, 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: Cinnamon elixir can be prepared in advance and refrigerated up to 2 weeks.

  2. Make the cardamom elixir:

    Step 2

    In a small saucepan, bring the cardamom 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: Cardamom elixir can be prepared in advance and refrigerated up to 2 weeks.

  3. Make the Lucky Devil:

    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 cinnamon elixir, cardamom elixir, and simple syrup into each prepared glass. Add ice and enough soda water to fill each glass. Garnish with saffron rock candy.

TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesCold DrinkSpritzCalvadosBrandyRumVodkaCinnamonHerbs & SpicesCardamomNonalcoholicEpicurious

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