“When I created Tears of Neptune, I drew inspiration from the sea and the countless mysteries it holds,” says Chaz Lee, lead mixologist at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi. “I wanted to capture the feeling of standing on the shore on a crisp day—when the air is clean, the breeze is gentle, and the horizon feels infinite.”
Lee chose to feature the Chopin Family Reserve Vodka as he felt it “embodied clarity” and then infused it with sea beans and ogo (a crunchy red seaweed), aiming to balance subtle salinity with the living essence of the sea. “Fino Sherry" completes the composition, binding every note together like the soft foam that lingers where waves meet the sand.
Tears of Neptune
(Makes 1 cocktail)
- 3 ounces Chopin Family Reserve Vodka
- ¾ ounce Ocean Infusion (see recipe)
- ¼ ounce fino sherry
- Optional garnish: caviar
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice. Shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until well-chilled and lightly aerated. Fine strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass. Garnish with a small caviar spoon or single bead of caviar placed delicately on the rim or in a chilled mother-of-pearl spoon on the side. Serve immediately.
Ocean Infusion Recipe
(Yields 30 ounces)
Sea Bean Infusion Ingredients:
- Chopin Vodka – 20 fl oz
- Sea Beans – 16 oz (by weight)
Ogo Infusion Ingredients
- Chopin Vodka – 20 fl oz
- Ogo (seaweed) – 16 oz (by weight)
Method
Prepare Sea Bean Infusion:
- Combine 20 fl oz Chopin Vodka and 16 oz sea beans in a sous-vide bag.
- Seal and cook at 110°F (43°C) for 8 hours.
- Remove from water bath, strain through a fine mesh or cheesecloth.
- Label and refrigerate.
Prepare Ogo Infusion:
- Combine 20 fl oz Chopin Vodka and 16 oz Ogo in a sous-vide bag.
- Seal and cook at 110°F (43°C) for 8 hours.
- Remove from water bath, strain, label, and refrigerate.
Create Ocean Infusion:
- Combine 1 part Sea Bean Infusion with 2 parts Ogo Infusion.
- Stir gently to integrate.
- Label, date, and refrigerate until service. Keep up to 2 weeks sealed and refrigerated.
"Each sip is meant to evoke adventure, calm, and quiet reflection—a reminder that even in stillness, the ocean stirs within us.”