Cooking Lesson #1032: Spicy Salted Plum Vodka Collins

…from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour Bar

credit: punch / andy ricker

How you doin’? Have you ever watched the movie The King and I? That was the time when King Rama I made a move to the west, creating a harmonious relationship between Thailand and the United States.
 
While Thai cuisine has a familiar Chinese bent it has its own rich and spicy Thai uniqueness. Here is a cocktail that replicates southeastern Thai dining experiences with the Salted Plum Vodka Collins. This is an alcoholic twist on an existing Thai cocktail. The saltiness of the plum combined with citrus and a split Thai chili pepper results in a complex, spicy thirst-quenching cocktail capable of holding its own when paired with the most flavorful Thai cuisine.

Prep time:  6 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail 
Ingredients 
1 salted plum, rinsed (from your local Asian market or Amazon.com)
1 ounce lemon juice
3 sugar cubes
1 cut Thai chili pepper ring (without seeds)
1-1/2 ounces vodka
Club soda to top
Garnish: lemon wedge, Amarena cherry
 
Directions

1. Muddle the salted plum, lemon juice sugar and chili ring in a pint mixing glass.
2. Add the ice and vodka, then shake.
3. Strain into a Collins glass with ice and top with club soda.
4. Garnish with a lemon wedge and Amarena cherry.

ChefSecret:  Amarena cherries are a type of small, dark cherry that is produced in Italy. These cherries are known for their rich, intense flavor and are often used in a variety of culinary applications, including desserts, cocktails and even savory dishes. The cherries are typically preserved in a sweet syrup, which helps to enhance their natural cherry flavor and adds a touch of sweetness.

Quip of the Day:  Q. What did the bartender say after Charles Dickens ordered a martini?  A. “Olive or twist?” 
------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.
 
                                                                                ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025

---