Oleo saccharum, which translates to "oil sugar," is a time-honored technique used in the art of cocktail-making to extract the essential oils from citrus peels, resulting in a rich, flavorful syrup. This traditional method, dating back to the 19th century, has experienced a resurgence in popularity among mixologists and home enthusiasts alike. The process involves combining sugar with citrus peels, allowing the sugar to draw out the fragrant oils through osmosis, creating a syrup with a concentrated citrus essence. Oleo saccharum is a versatile ingredient that adds depth and complexity to various cocktails and punches, particularly those that showcase the vibrant flavors of citrus fruits.
Creating oleo saccharum is a simple, yet effective process. Begin by peeling the citrus fruit of your choice, ensuring to remove only the outer layer of the peel and avoiding the bitter white pith. Combine the citrus peels with sugar, muddling them gently to release the oils. Leave the mixture to rest for a few hours, or overnight, to allow the sugar to extract the oils fully. Once the oleo saccharum is ready, the syrup can be strained and used in your favorite cocktails, adding a delightful burst of citrus flavor and aroma. From classic punches to modern craft concoctions, oleo saccharum is an indispensable ingredient that brings brightness and sophistication to any libation.
Now, let's take this classic technique a step further by creating a Melon Oleosaccharum, and using it to create a Melon soda and a Melon Collins.
Melon Collins Recipe:
Ingredients:
50 ml Gin
15 ml Lemon Juice
10 ml Melon Oleosaccharum
Melon Soda (to top up)
Melon slice (for garnish)
Instructions:
Add the gin, lemon juice, and melon oleosaccharum into a shaker.
Shake well and fine strain the mixture into a Collins glass.
Top up the glass with Melon Soda.
Garnish with a melon slice and serve.
Melon Oleosaccharum Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 kg caster sugar
750 g melon, cut into pieces (peel and remove seeds)
Instructions:
Prepare the melon: Wash the melon thoroughly, cut it into pieces, removing the peel and seeds.
Combine the melon and sugar: In a bowl or vacuum bag, mix the caster sugar and melon pieces, ensuring even distribution.
Extract the melon oils: Seal the bowl or vacuum bag and let it sit overnight at room temperature to create a flavorful syrup.
Strain the oleosaccharum: After the mixture has rested overnight, strain it to collect the syrup and discard the melon pieces.
Melon Soda Recipe:
Ingredients:
100 ml melon oleosaccharum
900 ml filtered water
5 g citric acid
8 g malic acid
Instructions:
Combine the melon oleosaccharum, filtered water, citric acid, and malic acid in a large container.
Stir well until all the ingredients are fully dissolved.
Carbonate the Melon Soda using a Carbonation Rig.
You can find how to carbonate your beverages and set up a carbonation rig here.
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