Asafetida is derived from the Latin foetida, which means “foul-smelling.” Challenged by Jonathan Van Herik of Rainbo Club to create a cocktail with the pungent spice, made from the dried sap of the roots of the giant fennel plant, Aaron Dexter of the Owl says, “It’s that kind of funky rotted-garlic smell. It’s really powerful.
“It’s not bad,” Dexter concluded. “I did the best I could with the ingredient I was given. I don’t know that I’m going to race to put this on a cocktail list anytime soon, though.”
Dexter has challenged Brian Bolles of Maude’s Liquor Bar to create a cocktail with duck fat.
