Heart-Shaped Box
A Strawberry and Balsamic Vinegar Cocktail
When it comes to innovative and meticulously crafted drinks, the renowned cocktail bar Death & Co never disappoints. Among their extensive repertoire, the Heart-Shaped Box stands as a testament to their creativity when it comes to combining flavors and utilizing new and interesting ingredients. While this cocktail builds around fresh strawberry, it is far more than a simple strawberry refresher. The innovative use of balsamic vinegar adds complexity and depth, which together with the other ingredients creates a harmony that pulls this cocktail out of the realm of the ordinary and cements it as something unique and truly special. This strawberry and balsamic vinegar cocktail is featured in the book Death & Co. by Alex Day, David Kaplan, and Nick Fauchald named after their famous cocktail bar.
Ingredients
Brandy
60 ml
Elderflower Liqueur
22.5 ml
Bitters
1 dash
Strawberry
1 pc
Cinnamon Syrup
15 ml
Lemon Juice
22.5 ml
Balsamic Vinegar
7.5 ml
Instructions
Muddle Strawberry
Add Ingredients
Shake
Prepare Serving Glass
Double Strain
Top off and Garnish
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Ingredient #1
Brandy
Martell VS
Ingredient #2
Elderflower Liqueur
St-Germain
Ingredient #3
Bitters
Angostura bitters
History
The Heart-Shaped Box cocktail is a creation of Death & Co, a famous cocktail bar that opened its doors in New York City’s East Village in 2006. Founded by David Kaplan and Ravi DeRossi, Death & Co quickly became a cornerstone of the modern cocktail renaissance, renowned for its innovative approach and craftsmanship. This cocktail, like many from Death & Co, showcases the bar’s philosophy of pushing boundaries while respecting classic techniques. The name “Heart-Shaped Box” is likely a nod to the iconic Nirvana song, evoking a sense of nostalgia and depth, much like the drink itself. The Heart-Shaped Box was also featured in Death & Co’s critically acclaimed book, “Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails” published in 2014, a book filled with many other amazing cocktails that any cocktail enthusiast should have on their bookshelf. Another amazing cocktail from Death & Co. that we love and have covered here on World of Mixology is Naked & Famous. In the realm of mixology, the Heart-Shaped Box stands out for its unconventional use of ingredients. While strawberries have long been a staple in cocktails for their refreshing sweetness, the inclusion of aged balsamic vinegar is a bold move that exemplifies Death & Co’s inventive spirit. This combination of familiar and unexpected flavors reflects the bar’s commitment to creating unique cocktails.
Flavor profile
The flavor profile of the Heart-Shaped Box cocktail is complex. At its core, the cocktail centers around the fresh and vibrant taste of muddled strawberries, which provide a sweet and fruity foundation. On top of that a layer of complexity and depth is added, from the aged balsamic vinegar, which introduces a subtle tanginess and richness that elevates the cocktail from a simple fruit-based drink to something much more sophisticated. This unexpected ingredient works in perfect harmony with the strawberries, enhancing their natural sweetness while adding a savory dimension. The cinnamon syrup brings a warm, spicy note to the mix, complementing the freshness of the strawberries. As known from desserts and gastronomy, strawberries and cinnamon are great friends. This warmth is further accentuated by the Angostura bitters, which adds a nuanced bitterness and spice that rounds out the drink beautifully. Floral notes from the St-Germain elderflower liqueur shine through in the cocktail, adding to the sweetness and yield a fragrant aroma. Elderflower and strawberry is also commonly known as a good pairing, and here the floral element pairs seamlessly with both fruit and spice, creating a balanced and multi-dimensional cocktail. Each ingredient in the Heart-Shaped Box is thoughtfully chosen and skillfully combined, resulting in a cocktail where the flavors not only complement each other but also enhance and elevate one another. The interplay between sweet, spicy, floral, and savory notes makes this drink a standout example of innovative mixology, offering a delightful and complex experience.