The “Chogakbo Infusion” embodies a meeting point between two distinct artforms: English mixology and the traditional Korean patchwork known as 'chogakbo'. While the drink is crafted with classic English gin, kombucha (which has ancient Asiatic origins but is now prominent in British wellness culture), and overlays of botanicals, florals, and subtle sour notes, its core inspiration lies in the aesthetic elegance of patchworking. The playful layering of flavors is designed to parallel the way fabrics and colors intertwine in textile art, creating a 'tasted quilt' that is unique with every sip.
Patchwork artisanship has existed globally, but chogakbo is distinct for its asymmetrical arrangements and philosophy of 'essential beauty'. The fabric’s chance intersections reflect imperfection as natural beauty. English craft cocktails often channel a similar ethos, eschewing mass production in favor of quietly inventoried syrups, selective infusions, and explorative flavors.
This drink was created to celebrate new-wave British bartending, where traditional spirits—especially gin, prized for its botanical profile—intermix with globally-inspired ingredients. Pairing gin with kombucha nods to modern restaurant beverage pairings, while edible blossoms channel the colorful surprise of sewing different cloths together.
As a chef and cocktail enthusiast, I find fusion drinks like Chogakbo Infusion especially rewarding. Forward-thinking yet respectful of tradition, this drink demonstrates how even classic gin can become a canvas for the ever-globalizing world of drinks. It is collaborative—every batch depends upon the herbs and kombucha of the day—and it invites artistic imbalance, just like traditional patchwork.
Savoring the Chogakbo Infusion asks you to taste both the momentary and the inherited: a botanical blast from London’s cocktail roots and modern flourishes using fermentation and edible flowers. Above all, it’s meant to be a drink that brings people together—a talking point, much like an artisan’s quilt at a village gathering.
Cheers to discovering beauty in unexpected combinations, and to drinks that wear their art proudly on their sleeve—and their glass.