French Culinary Institute: New signature 901 cocktails for Virgin Atlantic

Nils Noren of the French Culinary Institute raises a Cold Buttered Rum in toast to attendees
of the 2009 New York Culinary Experience. Image courtesy the French Culinary Institute.

AS PART OF the 2009 New York Culinary Experience, a two-day collaboration between the French Culinary Institute and New York Magazine, FCI hosted a private reception celebrating the event, where guests savored the debut of a signature Virgin Atlantic Airways cocktail. FCI CEO and founder Dorothy Hamilton, New York Magazine culinary editor Gillian Duffy and representatives of Virgin Atlantic and 901 Silver Tequila (Justin Timberlake's label) raised a toast with the Virgin Atlantic/901 Silver First Night Flight, created by FCI's Nils Noren and David Arnold.

The weekend was a sold-out success among foodies (even as the equally popular Manhattan Cocktail Classic drew enthusiastic booze hounds not far away). Two days of presentations and cooking demonstrations by popular NYC and international chefs and restaurateurs, including David Bouley, Jacques Pepin, Michael Psilakis, Christopher Lee, Jacques Torres and April Bloomfield covered everything from pastries to PORK (represented in all-caps in the program). Not simply some sort of Emeril sit-in, attendees were given the opportunity to cook hands-on and side by side with some of the most prominent chefs in the world ("Iron Chef" winner Morimoto a poarticularly popular draw).

Cocktails, thankfully, were not forgotten. Noren and Arnold have been busily playing with ways to carbonate hard spirits while imparting tonic-like flavor, as well as using liquid nitrogen and other culinary tricks to introduce new twists to classic drinks. Attendees savored a Cold Buttered Rum (riff on Arnold's very fiery Hot Buttered Rum experiments employing a super-heated metal poker) and a creative take on the Gin and Tonic, featuring gin, clarified lime, simple syrup and quinine chilled with liquid nitrogen, carbonated and served in liquid nitrogen chilled glasses.

"That was the best damned Gin and Tonic we've ever made," Arnold declared after the class.

At the reception, signature cocktails featuring 901 Silver tequila and served by Virgin Atlantic Airways cabin crewmembers, ensured guests were well entertained (culinary treats from Soho House's Neil Ferguson helped absorb some of the liquor). Two drinks (each labeled with the prefix "The Virgin Atlantic and 901 Silver") --The First Night Flight and Tea With a Twist--are expected to be available at special tastings in Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses around the country beginning this November. Reps from 901 say there are no plans yet to include the cocktails in-flight, but that "it is not out of the realm of possibility." (though the First Night Flight, featuring tequila carbonated with CO2 and nitrous oxide might be challenging to recreate).

The event was a success, look for next year's Culinary Experience, October 3 and 4, 2010. For an entire schedule of public classes and events, visit FCI's website FrenchCulinary.com.

If you missed the FCI event, not to worry. 901 Silver will be showcasing additional signature cocktails on November 2nd, when they sponsor New York Magazine's next culinary event, the 11th annual New York Taste. With over 40 of the city's top restaurants represented, and visits from chefs like Morimoto, Zak Pelaccio, Michael White and Dan Barber (along with top mixologists from cocktail hangs like Pegu Club, PDT and Clover Club), this is an event that is certain to impress. For more drink recipes, visit 901.com (21 or over). 

The Virgin Atlantic & 901 Silver Tea with a Twist

• 1.5oz. 901 Silver Tequila
• 1oz. jasmine tea
• 0.5oz. Domaine de Canton
• 1/2 lime
• pinch salt
• splash simple syrup

Combine 901 Silver Tequila, Domaine de Canton, pinch salt, juice from 1/2 lime & splash simple syrup in a pint glass, add ice and shake thoroughly. Strain into martini glass, top with 1oz. of jasmine tea and squeeze 1 wedge of lime. Served up / garnish with crystallized ginger.