Sipping the Asian Persuasion at Jacks Monterey is a lot like getting caught in a line dance without knowing the steps.
The cocktail glides unpredictably between a soft, floral note similar to blooms in a tropical forest and raspy bitterness. It bounds through bright, lofty citrus. The pace can slow into a moody spice or soften into a dreamy slow embrace. And if you are trying it for the first time, you have no clue what to expect.
How could you? It’s a cocktail crafted from tumeric-infused vodka, carrot juice, honey, lemon and more – ingredients that only make sense in the aftermath. The pillow of foam on top brings its own beat, thanks to St. Germain (an elderflower liqueur) and lemon juice. So there’s an impression you can define vaguely as earthy candy, a nip of ginger, a deep fruity zest, chalky earth, dried petals… there’s just a lot to consider.
And yet Asian Persuasion is a light, juicy and refreshing cocktail. The foam adds a lilting effervescence and the color is of rosey glee. So what you don’t know can’t really hurt you.
JACKS MONTEREY, 2 Portola Plaza (in Portola Hotel & Spa), Monterey. 649-7830, portolahotel.com