Valley of the Moon
flavorcamp
April 23, 2025
With quiet confidence and bold elegance, Valley of the Moon is a poetic nod to the layered complexity of Nikka from the Barrel. Kathryn Sears folds in orchard fruit, spice, and beeswax into a cocktail that’s both grounded and luminous. It’s whisky romance done right — as comforting as a memory, as golden as the light in your favorite place.
Recipe: Kat Sears (Fogo, Newfoundland)
Photo: Reece Sims
Cocktail Flavor Camps
The inspiration behind this cocktail, as explained by bartender Kat Sears, “Bold. Courageous. Sophisticated. Nikka from the Barrel is timeless which is a harmonious blend of a good handful of whiskies that are living together in the perfect marriage. Trying to accentuate the array of flavors inside such an iconic bottle was a task in its own. Pairing spices with buttery pastry and well-rounded citrus was important for this Nikka to shine and live up to its prestige. I brought together some of my favorite flavors to place with this industry powerhouse from Japan. Thank goodness for this whisky, as it is the simple joys in life we remember the longest.”
Valley of the Moon
Difficulty: ModerateFlavor Camps: Boozy, Citrus, Fruity, Spiced
Ingredients
1.5 oz Nikka From The Barrel
0.5 oz Calvados
0.25 oz Cardamaro
0.25 Honey Syrup 1:1*
4-5 dashes Banana Bergamot Bitters
Garnish: Lemon Peel oils & Beeswax Dipped King Cube
Directions
- Place all ingredients in a carafe and stir with ice to dilute.
- Spritz a lemon swath inside the glass before pouring and toss the peel.
- Strain into a rocks glass with one large king ice cube that was dipped on the top with Beeswax.
Notes
- *Honey Syrup:
100 g Local Honey
100 g Distilled Water
Place both of these ingredients in a pot and bring to a simmer on medium heat. Once the honey is fully incorporated, turn the heat off and let this mixture cool down. Place in a bottle and store in the fridge for further use.
