Barsys
The Dragon
About
The Dragon is a floral gin cocktail made with chamomile tea, chamomile elixir, butterfly pea flower, red apple syrup, lychee liqueur, and lemon juice. It is delicate, aromatic, lightly fruity, and built around the kind of visual and flavor drama that makes a cocktail feel memorable before the first sip.
Gin gives the drink its botanical foundation. Its herbal and citrus notes support the floral ingredients without overpowering them. Chamomile tea adds a soft, calming floral layer with gentle honey-like warmth, while chamomile elixir intensifies that delicate aromatic character.
Butterfly pea flower brings the visual identity of the drink. Known for its deep blue-purple color and subtle earthy character, it gives The Dragon a mystical look while staying light enough to let the other flavors shine.
Red apple syrup adds soft orchard sweetness. It gives the drink body and a clean fruit note without making it heavy. Lychee liqueur brings perfume, tropical sweetness, and a silky floral-fruit finish that pairs beautifully with chamomile.
Lemon juice gives the cocktail its lift. It cuts through the sweetness, sharpens the botanicals, and brings balance to the floral base. It also enhances the color-changing magic of butterfly pea flower, giving the drink a more dramatic presentation.
The Dragon is elegant, fragrant, and expressive. It is the kind of cocktail made for guests who want something beyond the usual gin sour.
Shaken or Stirred? Shaken. The Dragon includes tea, syrup, liqueur, and lemon juice, so shaking helps blend the floral, citrus, and fruit elements properly. It also chills the drink quickly and gives it a polished texture before serving.
What You'll Need
For one The Dragon cocktail:
- 1.18 oz Gin
- 0.85 oz Chamomile Tea
- 0.03 oz Chamomile Elixir
- 0.85 oz Butterfly Pea Flower
- 0.27 oz Red Apple Syrup
- 0.81 oz Lychee Liqueur
- 0.41 oz Lemon Juice
Ice: Cubed
Glass: Rocks glass
Garnish: Lemon twist and Rosemary sprig
Pro tip: Use chilled chamomile tea before mixing. Warm tea can weaken the cocktail’s texture and dilute the clean floral profile.
How to Make It
Prep time: 4 minutes
Skill level: Intermediate
- Add gin, chamomile tea, chamomile elixir, butterfly pea flower, red apple syrup, lychee liqueur, and lemon juice into a shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice.
- Shake well until chilled and properly mixed.
- Fine strain into a Rock glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or rosemary sprig.
Using Barsys?
The Dragon has a layered flavor profile with small measurements that matter. Chamomile elixir, red apple syrup, lychee liqueur, and lemon juice all need balance so the cocktail stays floral, bright, and smooth.
Barsys helps measure the gin and key liquid ingredients accurately, giving the drink a consistent foundation before the floral and citrus elements come together.
For the full recipe, download the Barsys App.
Tasting Notes
The Barsys Edge
Floral cocktails need precision because delicate flavors can disappear quickly. Too much lemon can overpower the chamomile, while too much syrup can hide the gin and lychee.
Barsys keeps the pour controlled, helping The Dragon stay aromatic, balanced, and visually striking every time.
Sip Setting
The Dragon is made for atmospheric moments. It works beautifully for cocktail nights, dinner parties, special celebrations, and intimate evenings where the drink should feel as interesting as the conversation.
It is elegant enough for a refined serve, but imaginative enough to feel playful and unexpected.
Garnish Game
A lemon twist adds citrus aroma and keeps the drink bright from the first sip. An edible flower can enhance the floral identity and make the presentation more dramatic.
Keep the garnish delicate. The cocktail already has strong visual personality from the butterfly pea flower.
You may also like
FAQs
What is The Dragon cocktail?
The Dragon is a floral gin cocktail made with chamomile tea, butterfly pea flower, red apple syrup, lychee liqueur, and lemon ju
What does The Dragon taste like?
It tastes floral, citrusy, lightly fruity, and aromatic, with notes of chamomile, lychee, apple, and gin botanicals.
Is The Dragon shaken or stirred?
It is shaken because it contains lemon juice, syrup, tea, and liqueur that need proper blending and chilling.
What does butterfly pea flower do in the cocktail?
Butterfly pea flower gives the drink a striking blue-purple color and a subtle earthy botanical note.
What glass should I use for The Dragon?
A rocks glass works well because it gives the cocktail an elegant presentation and suits the floral, spirit-led profile.
Does Barsys work with this recipe?
Yes. Barsys helps measure the gin and other liquid ingredients accurately, keeping The Dragon balanced and consistent.