This weeks cocktail is inspired by Senia Hardwick's poem Skyline:
Skyline
A
crooked sky on a Wednesday morning,
Still half drunk
with fog
the sun burnt
clouds, and reaching light
are all I need of
god.
The
Tequila Skyline
1.5
oz of Tequila infused with jalapeno pepper *
approx.
3 oz. of freshly squeezed orange juice
1 T. of housemade grenadine+
Start with a glass of your choice , fill the glass with ice cubes
Add in the Tequila, then the juice.
Now gently glide the grenadine down the side of the glass using the back of a spoon, to coax it down.
*
Cut 2 or 3 Jalapeno Peppers lengthwise removing the seeds and membranes. Place
into a jar with 6 oz. of Tequila (I use Espolon, tasty and inexpensive) Steep
for at least an hour or two) Then strain.
+One
and a half cups of pomegranate juice (freshly squeezed pomegranate juice is
preferred but not always available, in which case I suggest POM ) and one cup of
sugar. A rich simple syrup, if you will, but with juice. I like to add in a
tablespoon or 2 of Flor de Jamaica (dried Hibiscus flowers found in the
Spanish/Latino Markets) It gives a rich color to the syrup and intensifies the
flavor. It is not a make or break ingredient but a nice touch if you can find
it.Place the ingredients in a small sauce pan over a medium flame. As it begins
to warm, give a stir or two. Heat it only to the point when the sugar dissolves
(approx. 5 minutes, no more) to avoid a "cooked taste" and less than appealing
darkened color. To
keep it bright, add a small strip of lemon peel during this process,(and because
I just can't help myself, and I like to add another dimension to the usual), mix
in a quarter of a teaspoon of orange blossom water (absolutely always available
at Indian or Middle Eastern Markets). I know this is not traditional but it
gives the slightest hint of flavor and adds a more intricate taste.
Place
in a jar and store in the fridge.
For more in this series, go here. For more about Nata Traub go here.
