Cocktails with Green cardamom pods
Green cardamom is a spice — seed-filled pods from a plant in the ginger family.
How it's used
Crush the pods lightly to crack the husk, since the aroma is in the seeds. Infuse them in syrup or straight in the drink, then strain. It suits gin, rum, coffee, citrus and honey.
Substitutes for Green cardamom pods
A dash or two per drink brings the aroma with nothing to strain.
Ground cardamom
About a quarter teaspoon replaces three pods. In a clear drink, double-strain it through a fine sieve, or it clouds.
Black cardamom
Not a substitute: it is a different plant and tastes smoky and camphor-like rather than floral.
Description
The aromatic part is the cluster of hard black seeds inside the pod — 8 to 16 of them — used crushed or ground; the outer husk is largely inert.
Storage
Whole pods keep for months in a sealed jar. Ground cardamom fades faster.
