The Climax: Vodka, soda, grapefruit, lemon and blueberry syrup with a glitter rim and spoonful of Pop Rocks
Credit: Dream Nashville
The Cocktail with a Climax
Stateside Kitchen | Nashville, Tenn.
Kelley Phillips
While it’s common to describe the character of a cocktail (sophisticated and rich, playful and bright), its “personality” doesn’t usually come into play. But for a drink dubbed The Climax, an over-the-top personality is all but guaranteed. Named after a 19th century Nashville saloon, the drink is “as cheeky as its name suggests,” says Kelley Phillips, assistant director of food and beverage at the Dream Nashville Hotel and its on-site restaurant, Stateside Kitchen. Phillips likens The Climax to a Collins: its magic lying in the fine balance between sugar and citrus. The cocktail combines vodka and soda with a burst of blueberry syrup and is brightened by the tang of fresh grapefruit and lemon.
This combination is nuanced and refreshing on its own, but the real razzle-dazzle is the rim: coated in glitter and garnished with a petite spoonful of Pop Rocks. “Sweet, tart and a little sassy—a sip of this and you’ll be reminiscing about the past, while savoring the now,” Phillips says. “Guests love the surprise factor of the Pop Rocks and the glitter, and the drink itself has been winning hearts for its refreshing blend of flavors.”
About the Author
Nicole Duncan is the digital managing editor of Flavor & the Menu. She's reported on the restaurant industry for a decade, most recently as the editor of FSR magazine. In 2021, she won a Folio award for her feature on restaurant tycoon Tilman Ferttita. The following year, FSR was awarded Best Overall Issue for its May 2022 issue featuring Andrew Zimmern. She has profiled well-known chefs including Paola Velez, Fabio Viviani and Daniel Boulud, but also relishes the opportunity to spotlight under-the-radar trends and innovators.Read More Stories by Nicole Duncan
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