"Aliens" seemed like a good option with Halloween coming up. I made these crème de menthe spheres so simulate the eggs from Aliens. Biting into these is much more satisfying than watching an egg from Aliens open.
For the drink:
-1 1/2 oz white rum (Diplomatico Blanco)
-3/4 oz plum brandy (Etter)
-3/4 oz bergamot liqueur (Italicus)
-1 oz fresh watermelon juice
-3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
-1/3 oz simple syrup
-3 dashes Peychaud's bitters
-Crème de menthe spheres*
Glassware:
Stemmed Collins glass
Combine the drink ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 10 seconds. Pour through a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer. Add the crème de menthe spheres.
*Make the crème de menthe spheres ahead of time. Add 500g of water and 4 g of sodium alginate to a bowl and combine with an immersion blender. Set aside for at least an hour to allow the bubbles to dissipate. While the alginate settles, measure out your crème de menthe. To make a number of small spheres, combine 100g crème de menthe and 2g calcium lactate with an immersion blender and our into 0.5 half sphere silicon molds and freeze. Once the half spheres freeze, warm the sodium alginate bath up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the microwave. Set this bowl next to two bowls of filtered water. Drop the half spheres into the sodium alginate bath first for two minutes. This will form the gelatinous sphere. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in the first water bath for 15 seconds. Move to the next water bath. Use immediately or store in crème de menthe in the fridge.