A Modern Twist on a Timeless Classic
London's acclaimed restaurant Bibi has reinvented the traditional old fashioned cocktail with an unmistakable Indian flair. The innovative creation comes from the collaborative efforts of chef patron Chet Sharma and beverage director Wilem Powell, who have transformed the classic whiskey cocktail into something truly extraordinary.
The Secret Behind the Unique Flavours
What makes this cocktail stand apart is its clever incorporation of Indian ingredients. The bourbon undergoes a fascinating ghee-washing process where 40g of melted ghee is combined with 700ml of premium Eagle Rare 10 Year Old bourbon. This mixture rests overnight in the refrigerator, allowing the spirit to absorb the rich, nutty characteristics of the clarified butter before being strained through a coffee filter.
The sweetness component breaks from tradition by using 150g of jaggery rather than conventional sugar. This unrefined cane sugar popular in Indian cooking brings deeper, more complex caramel notes to the drink. The syrup is further enhanced with 15g of fennel seeds that infuse for at least an hour, along with 1½g of flaky sea salt and 17½ml of Angostura bitters.
Crafting the Perfect Serve
To assemble the complete drink, bartenders combine 45ml of the ghee-washed bourbon with 37ml of the jaggery syrup in a mixing glass filled with ice. The mixture is stirred for precisely 30 seconds to achieve the perfect dilution and chilling before being strained into a tumbler containing a single large ice cube. An optional strip of orange peel provides the finishing touch.
The recipe yields enough bourbon mixture and syrup to serve approximately 15 people, with both components maintaining their quality when stored properly in the refrigerator. For those concerned about waste, the recipe suggests repurposing the strained ghee in baking applications, where it can impart a subtle boozy sweetness to various dishes.
This innovative cocktail reflects the creative approach that has made Bibi one of London's most talked-about dining destinations. The restaurant's philosophy of reinterpreting Indian flavours through contemporary techniques extends beyond the kitchen to the beverage programme, resulting in drinks that are both familiar and excitingly new.
For those inspired to explore Chet Sharma's culinary vision further, Bibi: The Cookbook is available through various retailers at £44.95. The publication offers deeper insight into the restaurant's approach to modern Indian cuisine and likely includes additional creative cocktail recipes for home enthusiasts.
