How to make a charcoal and chamomile cocktail

Charcoal is known for its incredible toxin absorbing qualities

Charcoal has been widely used in its purest form in the East for hundreds of years and has recently caught on in the UK.

Known for its incredible toxin absorbing qualities, charcoal is a flavourless substance that has a striking colour when added to food and drink.

New Shoreditch restaurant, Bull in a China Shop, is inspired by ‘Oriental Curiosities’ so thought it made sense to mix things up a bit, and serve a black bamboo charcoal burger and black coconut charcoal Old Fashioned cocktails. The reaction has been been incredibly positive and has caused much intrigue.

Here, bar manager Cristian Cuevas, shows how to make the black charcoal Old Fashioned cocktail, with Daniel Futong, manager at the Drunken Monkey.

“The inspiration for the Chamomile and Charcoal Old Fashioned came from my research into Japanese whisky culture, which is centred around the ideas of good health, nature and of course good whisky,” says Cristian. “I then stumbled across the coconut charcoal powder which helps your digestive system, paired this with the chamomile for the natural floral taste and mixed with one of our more peated Japanese whiskies it is perfect for an after dinner drink.”

CHAMOMILE AND CHARCOAL OLD FASHIONED

Ingredients:

50ML Nikka from the Barrel whisky

10ML home made chamomile syrup

Dash of bitters

Sprinkle of coconut charcoal