Fennel Starburst

This cocktail, Fennel Starburst, is a refreshing and fruity gin and tonic with a unique twist. The homemade citrus-and-fennel tonic and spiced apple-celery juice combine to create a vibrant, aromatic drink. Garnished with fragrant fennel and star anise, it's a flavorful and visually stunning cocktail perfect for any occasion.

Fennel Starburst

Fennel Starburst is a fruity and aromatic gin and tonic with a citrus-and-fennel twist, garnished with fragrant fennel and star anise.

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Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp. fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. fennel seeds
  • 1 tbsp. cinchona bark powder
  • 4 star anise
  • Zest of 1 lime, plus 2 tbsp. juice
  • Zest of 1/2 orange
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 tbsp. citric acid
  • 1/8 tsp. sea salt
  • 2 tsp. fennel seeds
  • 1/2 chile de árbol, stemmed
  • 1 tbsp. sea salt
  • 1/4 Granny Smith apple, cored
  • 1/4 stalk celery
  • 2 oz. gin
  • 1 oz. anise tonic (see above)
  • 1 oz. club soda
  • Fennel frond and star anise, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Mix fresh lemon juice and grapefruit juice in a bowl, then pour into an ice cube tray and freeze.
  2. Simmer grapefruit juice, fennel seeds, cinchona bark powder, star anise, lime zest and juice, orange zest, and water in a saucepan until slightly reduced.
  3. Add sugar, citric acid, and salt to the saucepan and cook until the sugar is dissolved.
  4. Strain the tonic and chill it.
  5. Grind fennel seeds and chile into a powder, mix with salt, and transfer to a plate.
  6. Purée apple and celery in a food processor to extract juice.
  7. Rub lemon wedge on the rim of a rocks glass and dip in fennel salt, then add lemon ice cubes.
  8. Squeeze the lemon wedge over a cocktail shaker, add gin, tonic, and ice, and shake vigorously.
  9. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass and garnish with fennel frond and star anise.