Buddha's Hand Gimlet-Tini

The Buddha's hand may look like a lemon with fingers, but unlike a conventional lemon it has no juice, seeds or pulp—it's all rind, which has a pleasing lemon-blossom aroma. In China, the fruit symbolizes long life and happiness; in Japan it's a traditional good luck gift for the New Year. This recipe makes a sunny-hued cordial for the cocktail, which can also be added to club soda for a DIY limonata.

Buddha's Hand Gimlet-Tini
Photo: Jacob Fox
Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
1

Ingredients

Cordial

  • ½ cup water

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon Buddha's hand or lemon peel strips

Cocktail

  • 2 ounces vodka or gin

  • 1 ounce white vermouth

  • Buddha's hand or lemon peel strips for garnish

Directions

  1. To prepare cordial: Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then stir in Buddha's hand (or lemon) peel. Adjust heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Strain (reserve candied peel for garnish, if desired) and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

  2. To prepare 1 cocktail: Combine vodka (or gin), vermouth and 3/4 ounce of the cordial in an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with strips of candied or fresh Buddha's hand (or lemon) peel, if desired.

To make ahead

Refrigerate cordial for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

199 Calories
10g Carbs
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 1
Serving Size 1 cocktail
Calories 199
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Total Sugars 10g
Sodium 3mg 0%
Potassium 1mg 0%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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