Rosario

Ok, so most people know that I’m Greek, like 96% according to ancestors.com, and 4% Italian, which officially gives me the go ahead to open an Italian restaurant one day.
Anyway, my last name, Kapnison, was actually Kapnisto before my grandfather came here from Greece, which means “smoker” or “smoked.” This has to be the reasoning behind my love for mezcal and the wonderful smokeyness it adds to cocktails.

Mezcal is similar to tequila in that it is made from agave and made in Mexico. The smokey flavor comes from cooking the pits in the ground. There are a number of mezcals from a number of different regions and all are on the rise across craft cocktail bars from LA to NYC.

I also love shrubs, not for any ancestral reason, but simply because I love vinegar. Seriously, apple cider vinegar (ACV) can solve 90% of your problems. Stomach virus- ACV. Acne- ACV. Tarnished silver- ACV. Want to whiten your teeth?- ACV. The list goes on, you get the gist.

Shrubs are rapidly on the rise in the cocktail world. Basically they are drinking vinegars, commonly ACV, with added fruits and herbs. They add the perfect amount of zing to cocktails, but are also great with just soda water for a mocktail or a homemade soda for the kiddos.

These two ingredients are not used enough, until recently anyway. Both should be used in small amounts because both are overpowering. There are two ways to make shrubs, the cold process and hot process. I will give you my recipe for the hot process, which is the faster way. However if you aren’t impatient and plan ahead (unlike me) I suggest trying the cold process.

Strawberry Shrub- Cold Process

1 package (16oz) of strawberries

2 cups sugar

2 cups water

Boil in a medium sized pot, let simmer for about 20 minutes or until the strawberries get soft. Strain out the strawberries through a mesh strainer pressing all the liquid out of the strawberries. Discard the strawberries. Measure the amount of liquid remaining and add half that amount in apple cider vinegar.

Now you are ready to make a Rosario.

Recipe below.

Rosario Recipe

Espolon Blanco, Ancho Reyes, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Strawberry Shrub, Lemon, Ice, Chimayo Chile Salt

.5 Ancho Reyes

.5 Mezcal

.5 strawberry shrub

1 oz blanco tequila

1/2 lemon press

Combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, shake vigorously, and pour over a chile rim glass and fresh ice.