Grande Dame

Combine ingredients in a cocktail tin over ice, shake and double strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. Top with an atomized spray of magnolia essence and garnish optionally with a skeletonized magnolia leaf.

*Fig walnut orgeat

• 10 oz chopped raw walnuts
• 15 oz water
• 5 oz dried figs
• spices: 1/2 cinnamon stick, 1 tbsp black peppercorns, 8 cloves, 4 allspice berries
• white sugar

To create a fig walnut milk, begin by soaking walnuts overnight at room temperature. Later, strain and rinse the walnuts, then blend on high with 5 oz of dried figs, spices, and 15 oz water. Pass the blended contents through a nut milk bag to remove solids, then weigh the batch using a kitchen scale.

To finish the orgeat, combine 2 parts sugar (by weight) with every 3 parts fig walnut milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat, add optional spices as desired, and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Transfer the orgeat to an airtight container, straining out any solids or spices, add a splash of vodka for stability, and refrigerate for up to one week.

Note: excess can be frozen, separation is normal, shake well before using.

**Magnolia essence

Place one fresh magnolia blossom in an airtight glass jar and add enough 100 proof  (50% ABV) vodka to cover. Steep for 2-3 weeks, then strain through a sieve to remove and discard the blossom. Store in a glass atomizer.