Beacon Cream Soda

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes for Beacon Cream Soda

Sheringham Distillery creates an extraordinary East-meets-West cocktail that transforms the classic cream soda concept into a sophisticated adult beverage with Beacon gin’s delicate cherry blossom notes. The combination of Beacon gin’s floral yuzu citrus with creamy nigori sake and tart plum shrub delivers a refreshing drink that balances sweetness, acidity, and effervescence while the smoky cinnamon adds aromatic complexity.

How Beacon Gin Enhances the Flavor Journey

The first sip reveals bright plum tartness that quickly mellows into the silky texture of nigori sake. Beacon gin’s green tea and cherry blossom botanicals emerge in the mid-palate, creating a delicate floral bridge between the fruit and cream notes. The carbonation lifts these flavors while the smoky cinnamon aroma adds depth with each sip. For those preferring less sweetness, reduce the plum shrub to 1/8 oz or add extra soda water.

Recipe Variations and Customizations

This versatile cocktail welcomes creative modifications while maintaining its Japanese-inspired character. The nigori sake provides the signature creamy texture, but you can experiment with different sake styles for varied results.

Alternative Ingredients and Seasonal Twists

• Replace plum shrub with yuzu juice for extra citrus brightness
• Use Seaside gin for a more botanical-forward version
• Add a splash of elderflower liqueur for enhanced floral notes
• Substitute sparkling sake for soda to increase complexity
• Try star anise instead of cinnamon for different aromatic smoke
• Create a non-alcoholic version with juniper tea and rice milk

Equipment, Preparation and Make-Ahead Tips for Beacon Cream Soda

Success with this cocktail requires minimal bar tools but benefits from proper technique. You’ll need a Collins glass, jigger, bar spoon, and kitchen torch for the garnish. The ribbed bar spoon technique prevents excessive carbonation loss while ensuring gentle mixing.

Essential Preparation Steps for Best Results

• Chill all ingredients except gin for optimal temperature
• Pre-torch cinnamon sticks and store in airtight container
• Batch gin and sake mixture up to 2 hours before serving
• Use large ice cubes to minimize dilution
• Pour soda slowly down the spoon to preserve bubbles
• Stir exactly three times to maintain carbonation
• Prepare plum shrub 24 hours ahead for best flavor

Perfect Occasions and Food Pairings for Beacon Cream Soda

This elegant cocktail shines at summer garden parties, Japanese-themed dinners, and sophisticated brunch gatherings. The drink’s unique profile makes it ideal for adventurous cocktail enthusiasts and those seeking refreshing summer cocktails with an Asian twist.

Complementary Food Pairings with Beacon Gin

The cocktail’s creamy texture and complex flavors pair beautifully with light Asian cuisine. Serve alongside sushi rolls, tempura vegetables, or delicate dim sum. The plum notes complement duck gyoza perfectly, while the gin botanicals enhance fresh spring rolls. For dessert pairings, try mochi ice cream or light fruit tarts that echo the cocktail’s delicate sweetness.

Cocktail History and Similar Drinks

The Beacon Cream Soda represents modern craft cocktail innovation, bridging traditional Japanese sake service with Western soda fountain nostalgia. This creation reflects the growing trend of East-West fusion in contemporary mixology, where bartenders incorporate sake into gin-based cocktails for added complexity and texture.

Related Cocktails in the Sheringham Portfolio

• The Real Beacon Highball offers a simpler gin-forward experience
• Kyoto Clique cocktail explores similar Japanese flavor profiles
• Traditional Ramos Gin Fizz shares the creamy, frothy texture
• Japanese Whisky Highballs inspired the carbonation technique
• Sake-tinis paved the way for sake in Western cocktails

Nutritional Information and Dietary Considerations for Beacon Cream Soda

This cocktail contains approximately 160-180 calories per serving, with most calories coming from the alcohol and nigori sake’s natural rice sugars. The plum shrub adds 15-20 calories of fruit-based sweetness, while the soda water contributes zero calories. The drink is naturally gluten-free when using certified gluten-free gin and sake.

For health-conscious modifications, replace nigori sake with clear junmai sake to reduce calories by 20-30 per serving. The cocktail is vegan-friendly, though some sake producers use traditional fining methods. Sheringham’s spirits collection offers various options for customizing alcohol content, with the standard recipe containing approximately 14% ABV per serving.