Pansy Orange Gin Cordial
Pansies are old-fashioned flowers that have heart-shaped petals with a wide range of beautiful colors. They are viola hybrids, though pansies have a much larger noticeable bloom than violas.
Since the mid-15th century, the name “pansy” comes from the French word pensée (thought). Pensée means to ponder over a subject, deep reflection of thought and to make sure to take everything into consideration.
Justin (my husband) and I have fully surrendered to quarantine. We stay indoors for the most part and walk outside once a week to get fresh air. It’s not that bad, I swear it! It does feel like a distant memory when it comes to taking the subway to the city or freely drinking bubble tea outside without having to sanitize my hands or worry about the straw being unclean.
When my friends Jo and Mike picked up a container of edible flowers for my birthday, it meant the world to me—since I haven’t ventured out in months and have embraced the life of a hermit.
I didn’t want to use the pansies for a salad so I decided to make a cocktail instead. Below is the recipe that you never asked for :—)
Pansy Orange Gin Cordial
Ingredients for Flower Ice
Distilled water
Pansies (or edible flower of choice)
Silicone cubed ice tray
Method for Flower Ice
Fill the bottom third of each cube with distilled water. (Distilled water gives you slightly more clear ice.)
Place 1 - 3 pansies in each cube depending on the size. Freeze for an hour or until frozen.
Fill the cubes to the top and freeze for 20 hours or until frozen. Remove cubes from tray and store in a new container until use.
Method for Orange Gin Cordial
Start by placing the flower ice cube in your glass.
Combine 2 oz of gin and 1 oz of orange cordial syrup.
Top with seltzer and enjoy!
Text & Photography by Shirley Huong Wong