One fated night, a few months ago, Drew and I sat at the bar of a rather acclaimed down town LA restaurant
Bar Ama. The light was dim and inviting, joyful conversation echoed through off the raw wood, shimmering mirrored surfaces and aqua blue tiles. Our bar tender greeted us with a vivacious warm smile, introduced himself as TJ and asked what we would like to drink; thats when it happened.
Being that neither Drew or I had diverted from the traditional Margarita when it came to Tequila we opted for dealers choice, a risky move I will admit, but one that may have forever changed my perspective on cocktails. TJ made, the most smokey, tangy, sweet, savory, and spicy cocktail I had ever had. It was complex and pleasing, unique and interesting, and ever since that moment I have longed to figure out how it was made. The trick, TJ said, was to use Mezcal (Tequilas smoldering other half).
Fast forward to present day. We have been back to Bar Ama several times and have tried a few different cocktails, but the original from that night is what we order most.
Today I give to you a beverage that came to be out of the experimentation with this new (admittedly trendy) mixer.
-BEE STING-
What you will need for two cocktails:
A cocktail shaker
4.5 oz Mezcal (3-4 shots)*
Juice from 1 large Meyer (sweet) Lemon
Juice from 1 Cocktail Grapefruit
1.5 tsp Honey
1.5 tsp Jalapeño, diced, and a few pieces sliced for garnish
6-9 cubes of Ice, divided
Splash Pellegrino
Squeeze the juice from the lemon and grapefruit into the cocktail shaker. Add the mezcal, jalapeño, honey, and 3 cubes of ice. Shake well allowing for all of the ingredients to mix together. Place 2-3 ice cubes into tumblers and pour the mixture evenly over the top. Top off with a splash of Pellegrino and a few slices of jalapeño.
This beverage is both spicy and sweet and, of course, pairs far too well with my addiction to guacamole.
Though it may not be the drink we had that fated night, it most certainly does the trick… for now. Keep checking back though, one day, I may just figure it out.
*If you don’t like the smokey flavor of mezcal substitute your favorite tequila… also if you are more brash then I am do feel free to make it stronger, but that my dears I will leave up to you.
xx
