Hibiscus, Ginger and Pepper: A Three Glass Tasting Game for Two

Three glasses, two people, one blindfold you may or may not decide to use. That's the whole setup. The Three Glass Tasting Game is a way of slowing the evening down until every sip becomes a conversation, and it starts with three flavors that each behave very differently on the tongue: hibiscus, ginger and pepper.

Glass one is hibiscus, brewed strong and cooled, with a squeeze of lime and a little honey. It's tart, ruby and slightly floral, the flavor of a first compliment. Serve it in a stemmed glass. Ask your date to describe it in three words, none of which can be a taste. They'll have to reach for feelings instead.

Glass two is ginger, grated fresh and steeped hot, then chilled with a splash of apple juice and soda. It starts warm and finishes with a small, bright sting, like someone laughing at exactly the wrong moment. Switch roles here. Now you describe, and they guess what's in it. Winner picks the next question.

Glass one is hibiscus, brewed strong and cooled, with a squeeze of lime and a little honey.

Glass three is pepper, and it's the sly one. Muddle a few pink peppercorns with strawberry and lemon, shake over ice and strain through a fine sieve. The heat arrives late, after the sweetness has convinced you everything is fine. This is the glass for dares. Whoever flinches first answers something they'd normally dodge.

Keep score on a napkin if you like, but the real prize is how close your chairs end up by the final round. Offer a small palate cleanser between glasses, a sliver of cucumber or a cracker, and pause long enough to look at each other like you're actually tasting the evening.

If you need a hostess to play along, I do enjoy a good tasting match, and I cheat charmingly. Come find me on TheFriend and tell me which glass you'd pick last.

Meet Celeste: open Celeste's profile on TheFriend.