Persephone

The Persephone is a beautifully balanced modern cocktail that showcases the versatility of reposado tequila. It combines the fruity tartness of pomegranate liqueur with the delicate floral sweetness of elderflower liqueur, all brightened by a sharp kick of fresh lime juice. The result is an elegant, ruby-hued drink that is both refreshing and complex, appealing to a wide range of palates.
Persephone

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Persephone is categorized as a modern classic cocktail. It's a shaken, tequila-based drink that emerged from the 21st-century craft cocktail revival, valued for its balanced and complex flavor profile.

Serving

The Persephone is a moderately alcoholic drink served straight up in a chilled coupe glass. It is a cold, refreshing cocktail ideal for sipping.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz
Alcohol content
Estimated 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by bartender Phil Ward at the influential New York City bar Death & Co., the Persephone is named after the Greek goddess of the underworld and springtime. This mythological reference perfectly captures the drink's dual character: the deep, rich pomegranate evokes the underworld, while the bright, floral elderflower represents the blossoming of spring.
Origin
Created circa 2007 by Phil Ward at Death & Co., New York City, USA.

Persephone

The drink is consistently known as the Persephone, named after the Greek goddess. Occasionally, it might be referred to as the Persephone Cocktail to specify its nature, but the single name is standard and widely recognized in the cocktail community.
Original name
Persephone
Alternative name
Persephone Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Persephone boasts a complex flavor profile that is fruity, tart, and floral, with a smooth texture and a beautiful ruby color. Its aroma is a fragrant mix of citrus and flowers, leading to a clean, refreshing finish suitable for any season.
Flavor
Fruity, Tart, Floral, Agave, Citrusy, Sweet
Aroma
Floral, Citrus, Pomegranate, Tequila
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour
Aftertaste
Clean, Fruity, Lingering floral notes
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Deep pink, Ruby, Translucent
Texture
Smooth, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, Year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink has a pronounced fruity and sour character, balanced by moderate sweetness and alcohol strength. It is not salty, spicy, bitter, creamy, or carbonated.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires four key ingredients: a quality reposado tequila, pomegranate liqueur, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lime juice.
  • Reposado Tequila45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A 100% agave reposado tequila provides a smooth base with subtle oak notes.
  • Pomegranate Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Pama is the most commonly used brand.
  • Elderflower Liqueur15 ml / 0.5 oz
    St-Germain is the classic choice, providing delicate floral notes.
  • Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Freshly squeezed lime juice is essential for brightness and balance.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and two types of strainers for a smooth, ice-free result.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and diluting
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions
  • Hawthorne strainer to hold back ice
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double-straining

Instructions

The preparation involves shaking all liquid ingredients with ice, then double-straining the mixture into a pre-chilled coupe glass. The final step is garnishing with an expressed orange twist.
1. Chill a coupe glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice water.
2. Add reposado tequila, pomegranate liqueur, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the shaker is frosted and the contents are well-chilled.
5. If you used ice water, discard it from the chilled coupe glass.
6. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled coupe glass using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer to ensure a silky texture.
7. Take a fresh orange peel, hold it over the drink's surface, and twist it to express the citrus oils.
8. Place the orange twist into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.

Garnishing

The drink is garnished with an orange twist, with its oils expressed over the surface to add a fragrant citrus aroma.
  • Orange twist, expressed over the drink to release oils and placed in the glass

Dietary Information

This cocktail is alcoholic and generally considered free from common allergens like caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A single serving contains a moderate amount of calories, approximately 190-220 kcal. The carbohydrate and sugar content, primarily from the liqueurs, is around 15-18 grams.
Calories
Approximately 190-220 kcal / 795-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 15-18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 14-17 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This elegant cocktail is perfect for sophisticated occasions like cocktail parties or as an aperitif before a meal. Its beautiful color and refined flavor profile also make it an excellent choice for a date night or any special celebration.
  • Cocktail Party
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Elegant Gathering
  • Date Night

Pairing suggestions

The Persephone's balance of tart, sweet, and floral notes pairs wonderfully with spicy or zesty foods. It complements dishes like ceviche, grilled shrimp, or spicy Mexican appetizers, and also works well with the tang of fresh goat cheese.
  • Spicy Mexican appetizers
  • Light goat cheese
  • Ceviche
  • Grilled shrimp

The Alluring Elixir of Persephone

The Persephone is an elegant modern classic that perfectly embodies its mythological namesake. Created by Phil Ward at Death & Co., it strikes a beautiful balance between the underworld's darkness (pomegranate) and spring's light (elderflower). This tequila-based cocktail is tart, floral, and deeply satisfying, presenting a gorgeous ruby hue in the glass. It's a sophisticated choice for any occasion, showcasing the creative potential of the craft cocktail movement.

Similar Cocktails

Siesta

A similar tequila-based sour using Campari and grapefruit juice instead of pomegranate and elderflower liqueurs, creating a more bitter profile.

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