Manda Lavanda
Happy National Margarita Day! As if you needed an excuse to drink a margarita on Taco Tuesday... but if you are looking for a reason, here is a smoky, floral margarita that is definitely not your classic option. First, it brings in a floral-forward gin. I know this may upset some of the margarita purists out there, but it's certainly not the first cocktail to bring these two spirits together. Those floral notes are rounded out with Bitter Bianco, a less bitter, more floral, and much less red Campari. The touch of citrus here plays well with the Cointreau and keeps the juniper in check as a nice subtle background note.
The floral notes are brought front and center on the nose with the lavender ("lavanda" en español) salt rim and especially with the lavender hydrosol from @barefootbontanicals. I love using the technique of using volatile aromas to steer the palate. Here, the brain is expecting a lavender-forward drink, but instead it gets a combination of smoke and floral. Lavender is very pleasant to smell but less so to taste if not dosed correctly, so this is the best of both worlds, in a way. Regardless, it's a really interesting and delicious drink. If you don't have the hydrosol (it's really good!), you could also try using lavender bitters in an atomizer.
Recipe
1.5oz Mezcal (I had @delmagueymezcal Vida on hand, but it would probably work great with a more floral-forward option)
0.5oz Floral gin (I used @hendricksgin Midsummer Solstice)
0.5oz Bitter bianco (@luxardousa)
0.5oz Cointreau (@cointreau_us)
0.75oz lime juice
0.25oz agave syrup
1 spray lavender hydrosol (@barefootbontanicals, gifted)
Lavender salt rim (1:1 mix of ground, dried lavender buds + pink salt)
Combine first 6 ingredients and shake with ice until chilled. Fine strain over #clearice cubes (I used @truecubes, gifted) into a double OF glass rimmed with lavender salt. Spray hydrosol over drink. Garnish with dehydrated lime. Cheers!!
