When top New York chef Nils Noren started designing a special cocktail for this year’s Change-maker’s Gala, he knew where to find inspiration.
“This is a cocktail that will support African enterprise, so we wanted to include some ingredients from across that continent. We also wanted to use a Guinness product, because of their work with Self Help Africa in Africa and here in New York also. And finally, we wanted to add something that said ‘You’re in New York’!”
And the result?
It’s the Big Apple Africa – a unique blend of apple, spice, vodka and Guinness Rye Pale Ale.
“The mix works brilliantly,” said Nils, “and, more importantly, we expect it to be a big hit when it goes on sale at the annual Change-Maker’s gala in New York on November 11th. All proceeds from the sales will support Self Help Africa’s work in promoting enterprise and small business development across Africa, so I’m delighted we’ve come up with a winning formula.”
The annual gala, held at Chelsea Piers, attracts up to 600 people from the worlds of banking, finance, law and entertainment to support the pro-profit, pro-enterprise approach of Self Help Africa. Guinness support for the event mirrors the partnership between the organizations in Africa, where Self Help Africa works with farmers supplying raw materials into Guinness-owned breweries.
“This is always a really terrific evening,” added Nils, “and it’s a cause I love to support because of the work Self Help Africa does.”
Big Apple Africa
1 oz Rye Pale Ale
3 oz Fresh Granny Smith Apple Juice
2 oz Kettle One
2/3 oz Spiced Syrup
very small pinch of salt
Place the apple juice, Kettle One and the syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake the cocktail for about 30 seconds. Strain into a martini glass and carefully pour in the pale ale in the middle of the glass. Garnish with fresh or crystallized ginger and basil.
Spiced Syrup
1 cup Water
1 cup Sugar
25 pc Green Cardamom
25 pc Allspice
1 cup Thinly Sliced Ginger
Place all the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil, stir to make sure all sugar is dissolved and let sit for an hour. Strain.