A few months ago I attended the grand opening of a new little speakeasy in town.

I love little secrets – gems like this – located in the far back of a new hoppin’ shoppe, known only to an industry few.
It really made my day as we pushed through the “secret wall” to be admitted to a teeny tiny backroom full of my favorite friends!

Our community is small – we all know each other and we all make each other smile.

Sakura means “cherry blossom,” and is a word of both wonder and beauty.

If you’ve never experienced the cherry blossom blooming season, you really must find yourself “there” someday – the mall in D.C., or perhaps Japan.

While I did not necessarily find myself in the middle of a Japanese village at Sakura Speakeasy, I did discover myself, yet again, swimming in a dream of cocktail creation and inspiration.

I took the cherry blossom theme to another level.

Enjoy.

Sakura Mint Speakeasy Splash

2 oz. goooooooood bourbon
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
1 tsp. simple syrup (lime simple syrup, if you have it)
2 tiny drops cherry blossom essential oil
2 Candied Lime pieces
2 fresh mint leaves

Combine all ingredients, along with ice, in a cocktail shaker. Shake, shake, shake until extra cold.
Strain and serve the recovered lime and mint.

So refreshing!