Matcha Shaved Ice Cocktail With Furikake & Mint
We might be looking directly at Labor Day weekend, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try and squeeze in one more frozen bevvy before you tell me I can't call it summer any more! Besides, our autumns can still be quite hot here in Southern California, so an icy refreshment goes a long way...like end of October kind of way.
Regardless of geography - why not try and get in one last celebratory summer sip while we can?! And this one...well, it's a wild one. Where a matcha Shaved Ice Cocktail might sound pretty whatevs...this one has got some serious attitude. I'm talking earthy, funky, bright and refreshing all at once - plus it's poured over a mound of shaved ice which couldn't be more fun to serve up.
If you don't have a shave ice machine, don't fret, you can pulse ice cubes in a blender for a more snow cone slushy version. But I highly recommend this little compact gadget for summer entertaining (and beyond). I've made everything from pink lemonade for my friend's kiddos to margarita sangria float cones for the adults...and even Ginger Rocket gets in on the action, but she prefers her's unflavored and mounded as high as possible in her dog bowl.
I digress...so this cocktail is pretty much the perfect seasonal transition sip. It's got unexpected savory flavors, while still being cool and refreshing. Matcha pairs beautifully with gin (or Japanese Whiskey if you're looking for more options) and really sings with the addition of mint and cucumber. Each sip gives you a zig zag of earthy mixed with sweetness and then just to throw things really into overdrive, we're topping this shave ice masterpiece with furikake - that gorgeous umami mix of seaweed, sesame seeds and shiso (you can even do this with the furikake blend that has bonito flakes in it, and you should).
So yes, this one is going to 100% wow and I'm pretty sure your guests have never had a snow cone like this before!
Cheers to the last bits of summer!
- Matcha Shaved Ice Cocktail -
INGREDIENTS
Makes 2 cocktails
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 cucumber, cut into discs
3/4 oz honey
3 oz gin
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup water
1 oz brewed matcha green tea
Furikake & fresh mint for garnish
2 -4 cups Shaved Ice
DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and muddle well. Fill with ice and shake until frosty. Strain over a heaping mount of shaved ice and top with Furikake and fresh mint. Enjoy with a spoon or a straw straight out of the glass!
