Brine's Cocktail Week Special Includes an Oyster (Naturally)

The D.C. suburbs are getting into the Cocktail Week action this year as well. Bartender Jo-Jo Valenzuela has created the Oyster Can You See, an oyster-accented cocktail which will be served all week at Brine for $13 (oyster included).

Valenzuela was kind enough to share the full recipe for the gin-based cocktail, which also has a bit of absinthe and gets a kick from white peppercorn syrup. Here it is below:

Oyster Can You See

Glassware: Rocks Glass

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Gin

.75 oz White Peppercorn Syrup

.75 oz Lemon

1 dash Absinthe

3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters

Garnish: Lemon wheel, raw oyster, lemon verbena, and cracked white peppercorns

Method:

1. With the exception of Peychaud's bitters, shake all ingredients with ice until cold.

2. Strain into rocks glass on top of fresh crushed ice.

3. Layer 3 dashes of Peychaud's bitters on top.

4. Lay a lemon wheel as garnish and put the oyster on top, so the oyster does not freeze.

5. Slap lemon verbena to release oils and aromatics, and use as garnish

6. Sprinkle with cracked white peppercorn, and serve with 2 sip-sticks

White Peppercorn Syrup (yield approx. 1.5 qt)

Ingredients:

10-12 pcs star anise

4 tbsp white peppercorn

Zest of 2 whole lemons

Zest of 1 whole orange

32 oz sugar

16 oz water

Method:

1. Crack (do not grind) star anise and white peppercorn and toast on pan until you smell

aromatics.

2. Add water and bring to a simmer.

3. Add citrus zest, sugar, and water.

4. Simmer for 10 minutes, and stir ingredients until sugar is well-diluted.

5. Remove from heat, and let cool.

6. Transfer into quart containers and ice bath.