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cocktail

Eric’s Sipper (House Manhattan)

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I’m not sure if we are the only ones, but the older my husband and I get, the more the old saying, “less is more” seems to apply to our lives.  Be it friends in our orbit, clothes in our closet or alcohol in our system- quality over quantity couldn’t be more true for this couple. Having been together for almost half our lives, I can see how our tastes have become very similar and our Friday night beverage of choice is no different! What used to be the obvious question of red or white, has become the question of rye or bourbon… one drink each seems to be just enough for both of us. Quality over quantity! 

Eric’s sipper was created about a year ago and our first real appreciation and enjoyment of brown liquor.  I have to say, it’s pretty dang good and has become staple ingredients in our liquor cabinet. It’s delicious over ice, but can be served up in a coupe glass as well.  Either way, don’t forget the cherry or orange peel!

Cheers,

Christina

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Eric’s Sipper (aka House Manhattan)

This drink is a lovely mix between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan and is an excellent cocktail to sip while the ice melts, perfectly diluting the drink. It's known in our house as Eric's Sipper, and one that we are more fond of each time we make it. It's a fun drink to experiment with- served up or on ice, less sweet vermouth or more, 2 cherries or 4. Either way- cheers!

Course Beverages
Servings 1 drink
Author Christina Shoup

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces Whiskey We like High West and Angel's Envy Bourbon
  • 1 ½ ounce Sweet Vermouth
  • 2 dashes Angostura Orange Bitters
  • 2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters
  • 1-2 cherries, plus ½ tsp juice Favs include Luxardo Maraschino or Fabbri Cherries
  • orange peel garnish

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients except cherries and orange peel to shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds.

  2. Add large cube of ice to low ball and pour drink over ice.

  3. Garnish with 2 cherries on a toothpick and orange peel.

Mezcal Con Pepino

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A few years ago my husband and I were celebrating our anniversary in Cabo San Lucas at the beautiful Resort at Pedregal.  Our vacation was at the end of October during Dia de los Muertos- what a beautifully celebrated holiday with heartfelt emotions and incredible food! We were treated to many days of holiday treats during our stay- including fresh oysters, local fruits and drinks by the pool. 

Fresh Oysters

One evening there was a special culinary event with impressive displays of food and drink.  Among the baskets of dried crispy snacks- nuts, corn and roasted grasshoppers!- there was a tasting station of mezcal.  This smoky alcoholic beverage is made by harvesting the core of the agave plant. It is then cooked inside earthenware and distilled in clay pots.  My husband and I were somewhat new to mezcal and enjoyed tasting the varieties with a squeeze of lime.  

Mezcal tasting
Dia de los muertos celebration

I have to say that ever since that trip, there has been steady experimentation of mezcal cocktails in our house.  The cocktail that has become a household favorite is the Mezcal con Pepino- it’s perfectly refreshing, smoky from the mezcal, tart from the fresh lime, a little spicy from the hot pepper and cooling from the muddled cucumber.  Also known as the perfect TGIF year round drink. Very recently, my husband kicked up this house favorite by making a rosemary simple syrup and replacing the recipe’s agave syrup with his new herbaceous syrup- what a smart move.  Not necessary, but if you’re feeling like kicking this drink up a notch, you’ll be glad you did.  

Mezcal con pepino
Mezcal con pepino- with muddled orange bell pepper

Oddly enough, if you’ve got all the ingredients to make this delicious cocktail and discover that your kids ate all the cucumbers- I can assure you that you can safely substitute an orange sweet bell pepper. The result is a drink the color of a Hawaiian sunset and just as refreshing as the cucumber! 

Cheers!

Christina

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Mezcal Con Pepino Cocktail

This refreshing cocktail hits all the notes- sweet, tart, smoky, spicy, crisp. What more could you ask for? The agave nectar can be substituted with plain simple syrup- although a house favorite is an herbaceous rosemary infused syrup.

Cook's note- In a pinch, orange bell pepper was substituted for the cucumber and it was surprisingly delicious with a beautiful orange color!

Course Beverages
Keyword cocktail, mezcal
Servings 2 drinks
Author Christina Shoup

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces Mezcal
  • 2 ounces fresh lime juice
  • .75 ounces agave nectar or simple syrup
  • 2-3 slices cucumber
  • 2-3 slices serrano or jalapeno pepper
  • Tajin
  • Sugar

Instructions

  1. Put lime juice on rim of a glass and coat in tajin and sugar.

  2. Muddle the cucumber and serrano into a cocktail shaker.

  3. Add in mezcal, lime juice, agave/syrup.

  4. Fill with ice and shake.

  5. Pour over ice and garnish with lime and additional tajin.