Made with Malus: Honey Harmony
When it comes to combining flavors, finding harmony is key. Harmonious flavors work in synchronicity to bring out the best in each other and strike a balance without overpowering each other. Harmonious flavors bolster each other up, create depth and nuance as they play off each other, and breathe liveliness into flat, lifeless notes. Working with a flavor and ingredient like apples, there is a Rolodex of go-to matches that meet in heavenly harmony with the humble fruit, but one of my personal deeply rooted associations with apples has always been honey – Jewish day school Rosh Hashanah celebrations are to thank for that! There’s just something effortless and easy about the interplay of a crisp apple combined with the deep sweetness of honey that feels like one of nature’s simplest, most perfect pairings.
So as I set out to create a cannabis cocktail using Harmony Craft Beverages’ Malus Granny Smith OG, honey was the obvious starting place for me. I also wanted to warm things up with the help of a honey ginger simple syrup, which contributes a nice spice character that adds depth and nuance. A bit of citrus is called for to brighten things up – but you don’t need much because Malus has a nice dry profile that also helps cut through the sweetness of the honey. But the thing I love most about this drink is that it’s topped with a honey oat milk foam that adds a creaminess and richness that makes this drink feel downright indulgent – which is how any great cocktail should feel, if you ask me!
Another great thing about working with a product like Malus is that while it’s perfect right out of the can, it can add some pizazz to your at-home mixology game as a base in DIY cannacocktails with just a few simple ingredients. It doesn’t need much! This cannabis cocktail may look fancy, but it’s super easy to make, and you’re likely to have these ingredients on hand or you can easily find them at your neighborhood grocery store. Make a batch of the honey ginger simple syrup and store it in your refrigerator for up to a month to have the Honey Harmony on-hand and ready to go!
Honey Harmony
¼ oz. ginger simple syrup*
½ oz. lemon juice
Harmony Craft Beverages Malus Granny Smith OG
Honey oat milk foam**
Combine ginger simple syrup and lemon and stir over ice; strain and pour into a coupe. Top with Malus and honey oat milk foam.
*Ginger simple syrup: Bring one cup of water to a boil, stir in 1 cup of honey and 1 TBS peeled diced ginger. Remove from heat and let ginger steep for 30-45 minutes (or to taste). Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
** Using a frothing wand, combine 1 cup oat milk and 1 tablespoon honey.
(Note: If no frothing wand on-hand, you can also vigorously shake/whisk your milk & honey mix for a similar effect.)
