In the "Beijing Bliss," my Chinese tiki drink, the star anise combines well with the remaining ingredients. This refreshing cocktail brings together a number of disparate flavors that work surprisingly well together.
For the drink:
-2 oz Batavia arrack (Van Oosten)
-1/2 oz ancho chile liqueur (Ancho Reyes)
-3 oz fresh cara cara orange juice
-1 oz pineapple juice
-3/4 oz maple syrup
-1/2 oz fresh lime juice
-1 star anise
-1 tsp ginger
Garnish:
Cocktail cherries
Star anise pod
Glassware:
Fizz glass
Chop up the ginger and allow it to steep in the batavia arrack for 20 minutes. Add it to a cocktail shaker with the star anise and muddle for 10 seconds. Combine the remaining ingredients and shake for 10 seconds with ice. Pour into a glass with a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer. Garnish.