Food & Drinks

The Balalaika cocktail, originating from Eastern Europe, was invented by a bartender at a speakeasy bar called “Karat.” On Mondays, the bar hosted regular competitions among visitors, where they would take turns drinking a Balalaika to see who could consume the most. According to eyewitnesses, no one ever managed to drink more than six in a row.

Flavor:

The Balalaika cocktail has an intense, burning, and rich taste, where the neutrality of vodka accentuates the woody and caramel notes of cognac.

IBA Category:

Not included in the IBA list

Ingredients:

• 25 ml cognac
• 25 ml vodka
• hot water
• lemon wedge

Recipe:

1. Place a 50 ml shot glass into a teacup and pour in 25 ml of cognac and 25 ml of vodka.
2. Boil water and fill the teacup, submerging the shot glass in the hot water.
3. Let it sit for a couple of minutes so the hot water warms the shot glass with the cognac and vodka in it.
4. Ignite the contents of the shot glass—it will flare up impressively.
5. Wait a few seconds, then cover the shot glass with your palm. The flame will extinguish, creating a vacuum, causing the shot glass to “stick” to your hand.
6. Lift your hand with the shot glass, removing it from the cup without using your other hand (if done correctly, it won’t fall off). Twist the shot glass clockwise, releasing it from your palm, and drink the contents in one go.
7. Follow up by biting into a lemon wedge.