The White Nectar Cocktail Recipe |
Tea Estate in Kerala, India (photo by nibujohn, courtesy of morguefile.com)
We met our friend Gary Regan of Ardent Spirits more than a quarter century ago when he was tending bar at a cozy Manhattan pub called Ridings. We’ve been fans of his special blend of good humor and well-mixed drinks ever since.
These days Gary and his partner Mardee are running Ardent Spirits and managing a rather prodigious output of articles and books on all things to do with spirits and cocktails. For almost seven years now, he’s also been conducting bartender workshops. At this year’s workshop tea was a surprisingly popular ingredient for cocktails. Gary tells us tea can add subtle flavors to a drink without detracting from the taste of the base spirit.
Below is a fine cocktail recipe that demonstrates Gary’s point about tea by combining it with a great American bourbon. It was created by Gary’s students at the ‘2007 Cocktails in the Country’ workshops, an ArdentSpirits.com production.
Ingredients for 1 Drink
• 1 Slice Fresh Peach
• 2 Mint Leaves
• 2 Ounces Maker's Mark Bourbon
• 2 Ounces Numi White Nectar Organic Tea
• 1/2 Ounce Simple Syrup
Preparation
1. Put the peach & the mint leaves into an empty mixing glass and muddle thoroughly.
2. Add ice and the remaining ingredients.
3. Shake for approximately 15 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled Champagne flute.
If you’d like to purchase the book on spirits & cocktails that Gary calls, “my baby” go to: The Joy of Mixology: The Consummate Guide to the Bartender's Craft
If you’d like to purchase a terrific bartender’s guide authored by Gary's partner Mardee go to: The Bartender's Best Friend: A Complete Guide to Cocktails, Martinis, and Mixed Drinks
To visit Gary and Mardee’s wonderful web site and sign up for their very witty newsletter go to: Ardent Spirits
