El Pepe

Mezcal & Génépy Margarita

El Pepe

Description

Built like a Margarita except with a base of smoky mezcal and herbaceous Benedictine in place of tequila and Cointreau.

DifficultyGraduate

Ingredients

  • 2 parts mezcal (or Sotol even better)
  • 2 parts fresh lime juice
  • 1 part Benedictine Liquore
  • 1 part
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Basil Simple Syrup

Fresh basil leaves in a pot of syrup on a stovetop.

Real easy, real tasty: a straightforward herb simple syrup made with basil, cane sugar, and water. A handful of leaves brings fresh basil flavor to your cocktails.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup cane sugar
  • A handful of basil leaves

Directions

Bring the water to a boil. As soon as it reaches boiling, turn off the heat.

Add the cane sugar and basil leaves, then stir until the sugar is dissolved and everything is mixed.

Let steep for 10–15 minutes, then strain out the basil leaves.

Variations & alternatives

Use standard sweet basil, Thai basil, or a combination of the two. It is fun to play with the varieties: Thai basil brings a slightly different basil flavor that is delicious too.

I also love making a mixed-herb simple syrup. Add other herbs along with the basil—basil and mint is a favorite combination.

Directions

Shaken

Shake the mixing ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.

Additional steps & variations

shake and strain into a double rocks glass with fresh ice. garnish with basil leaf.

Note: You can substitute plane simple syrup with basil simple syrup. You can also use Dolin Genepi or other apline liquore in place of Benedictine.

Contributors

Ian

If you like this, check out one of the drinks below

Monte Carlo

A La Louisiane

Oliveto Arancia

Olive & Orange Gin Sour

Vieux Carre

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