Night Circus

Developed by: Abe Vucekovich

Combine ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard until the mixture is fully chilled. Strain the liquid into a chilled coupe glass. To finish, gently set a vapor bubble on top of the drink, and then pop the bubble tableside for a dramatic aromatic release.

*Chili-Cacao Syrup: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 2 tbsp cacao nibs (or 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder), and ½–1 dried chile de árbol (or ¼ tsp crushed red pepper). Simmer gently for 8–10 minutes until aromatic, then remove from heat and let steep 10 additional minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer, bottle, and refrigerate.

**Vapor bubbles require food-safe bubble solution and a handheld vapor gun. Aim for a bubble large enough to sit centered on the cocktail. The aromatic burst should deliver cinnamon, clove, and a hint of smoke