The Inspiration
Pretty in pink: cherry blossoms
More than a century ago, Japan gifted thousands of flowering cherry trees to the United States in recognition of the budding goodwill between the two countries. Planted in New York’s Sakura Park, lining the East Potamac Park and prominently surrounding the Tidal Basin, the cherry trees have become a national treasure and popular springtime destination.In the D.C. area, cherry blossom season is the earth’s breathtaking promise of spring. Trees bloom according to changing weather conditions rather than the calendar, guiding us mortals to appreciate the transitional nature of life.
As a nod to the “this too shall pass” beauty of the season, the inventive bartenders at AKB in Falls Church have created a refreshing spring cocktail inspired by (and including) the delicate cherry blossom. Visit AKB in Falls Church to sample this beautie.
The Recipe
For our April celebration of 12 Months of Cocktails, we enlisted Ty Minick, lead bartender at AKB in Archer Hotel Falls Church, to develop a cocktail inspired by the cherry blossom. He dubbed it the Sakura — the Japanese word for cherry blossom. His is a sweet, refreshing cocktail that starts with vodka and Cointreau, adds cherr
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Tito’s vodka
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce Cointreau
- 3/4 cherry blossom syrup
- Sugar rim
- Pink petals
- White jasmine flower
- Lemon zest
Directions
To a shaker, add first 4 ingredients. Fill with ice and shake well. Double-strain into a martini glass. Serve with sugar on the rim, pink petals, white Jasmin flower and lemon zest.Cheers!
Thirsty for more? Join us all year long for 12 Months of Cocktails. Raise a glass to creative spirits with stories — every month of 2023, we’ll highlight a signature cocktail at one of Archer’s boutique hotels.
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