While simple folk turn to ye trusty margarita come summer, we know can do a little better than that in Austin, Texas. So when Drink.Well reached out to Austin Eavesdropper TV and asked if I’d like a summer cocktail lesson, I said: Drink? Free? With you? Give me five minutes.
Thus, I came shaker-to-shaker with Jessica and Tacy, intrepid co-owner and bar manager of Drink.Well, as well as recent competitors in the national mixology competition: the Manhattan Cocktail Classic. Having invented, and spat out, several of my own cocktail inventions (see: 2010’s “Pumpkin Pie White Russian,” 2011’s “Kombucha Vodka Twist”), I was eager to learn Jessica and Tacy’s ways.
On today’s Austin Eavesdropper TV, the two comely ladies showed me how to mix their award-winning beverages (the Civetta in Islay, which isn’t just pretty to say, it won Jessica a Campari regional competition), and the Espirita de Vida (which won Tacy a Don Q Rum regional competition). Jessica also taught me the Italian lore behind the Civetta in Islay (a sexy phrase which apparently refers to a “tease,” as well as an owl — um, didn’t you know that the owl is the Sophia Loren of the animal kingdom?), and Tacy taught me how to “spank” my mint before I add it into my beverage. This technique releases the mint flavor … but more importantly, it makes you look like a badass.
Jessica and Tacy also kindly shared their recipes with us! Enjoy …
{ By Jessica Sanders, Winner of Campari Regional Competition }
- 1 oz. Bowmore 12 Year Single Malt Scotch
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz Duque de Carmona Orange Sherry
- 2 drops/dashes Bittermen’s Burlesque Bitters
{ By Tacy Rowland, Winner of Don Q Rum Regional Competition }
- 1 oz Don Q Gran Anejo
- 1/2 oz Don Q Anejo
- 1/2 oz Don Q Cristal
- 1/2 oz Maraschino Liquour
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Fresh grated cinnamon
- 2 dashes Bitterman’s Tiki bitters
- Spray of Tenneyson Absinthe Royale
