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the Reckless Accountant

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Wanting to create a shot showcasing the earthy taste of premium black tea, while also balancing it with the sweet and fruity taste of apple juice, we added complementary flavors including honey, ginger, and cardamom. We (optionally) elevate the presentation of the shot by incorporating a smoky applewood chips, and a cinnamon stick garnish. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz fresh apple juice
  • 1 oz black tea syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz honey syrup (recipe below)
  • 1/2 oz ginger syrup (recipe below)
  • 4 dashes of cardamom bitters
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Applewood chips, for smoking (optional)
  • Ice

Instructions:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the apple juice, black tea syrup, lemon juice, syrups, and bitters to the shaker. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. Pour the cocktail evenly into two shot glasses. (Optional: Fill a smoking box or chamber with applewood chips and place two shot glasses inside. Ignite the applewood chips with a torch or lighter, allowing the smoke to fill the box and infuse the cocktails with a smoky aroma.)

Place a cinnamon stick over each shot glass as a garnish and serve.

This premium shot has a smoky and aromatic flavor, with the sweet and fruity taste of fresh-pressed apple juice, the earthy and slightly bitter taste of black tea syrup, the sweetness of honey syrup, and the spiciness of ginger syrup and cardamom bitters. The smoky aroma from the applewood chips creates an additional sensory element to the shot.

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Raging Velvet

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Coming from the idea of elevating a traditional tea-based cocktail, making it more premium and sophisticated while removing the alcohol, the Raging Velvet is strong, rich, fresh, tangy, and complex.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz black tea syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
  • 1 oz yuzu juice
  • 2 dashes of orange bitters
  • Splash of ginger beer
  • Grapefruit twist, for garnish

Instructions:

In a cocktail shaker, combine the black tea syrup, grapefruit juice, yuzu juice, and orange bitters. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until well combined and chilled. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass. Top with a splash of ginger beer. Stir gently and garnish with a grapefruit twist.

The grapefruit juice and yuzu juice add a tart citrus flavor that complements the sweetness of the black tea syrup and balances the bitterness of the orange bitters. The ginger beer adds a spicy and effervescent touch that lifts the flavors and enhances the mouthfeel. The grapefruit twist adds a burst of flavor and aroma, making this drink truly premium and enjoyable. If you wanted to modify this recipe, try adding a dash of honey or agave syrup to enhance the sweetness or adding some fresh herbs, such as thyme or basil, to provide more complexity and freshness.

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the Paramour

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This soft shot recipe combines tropical flavors with the earthy and slightly bitter taste of turmeric, which is a spice that is not only delicious but also has health benefits. This is a great choice for a business celebration, as it combines unique and elevated flavors with a touch of elegance, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience for your guests.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. pineapple juice
  • 1 oz. passion fruit syrup
  • 1 oz. turmeric syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz. coconut water
  • Gold glitter
  • Fresh mint leaves

Instructions:

Fill two shot glasses with equal portions of pineapple juice, passion fruit syrup, and turmeric syrup, creating three separate layers. Carefully pour the coconut water on top of the turmeric syrup, being careful not to disturb the other layers. Sprinkle a pinch of gold glitter on top of each shot. Place a fresh mint leaf on top of the shot for garnish.

The passion fruit syrup used here provides a sweet and tart flavor, while the pineapple juice adds a sweetness and a tropical touch. The turmeric syrup adds a warm, slightly bitter flavor that is balanced by the sweet and tart flavors of the passion fruit and pineapple. The coconut water provides a light and refreshing flavor, while the gold glitter adds a touch of elegance and luxury. The fresh mint leaves add a final touch of freshness and balance to the shot.

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the Noble Hyena

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Another staff favorite, this is a great option for anyone looking for a drink that’s a bit more complex and interesting. It’s bright and refreshing, with a nice balance between sweet, sour, and bitter notes.

Ingredients:

  • 2 strawberries
  • 1/4 oz simple syrup (recipe below)
  • 1/2 oz vanilla syrup (recipe below)
  • 1/2 shot espresso (about 1/2 – 3/4 oz)
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 oz tonic water (preferably Fever Tree)
  • Ice

Instructions:

In a cocktail shaker, muddle one of the strawberries in the syrup. Add the remaining ingredients except the tonic water and garnish. Fill the shaker with ice, cover, and shake well. Fill your highball glass with ice and add the tonic water. Strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with a strawberry and serve.

This cocktail has a sweet, fruity taste with a tart citrus kick from the lemon and grapefruit juice. The pineapple juice provides a slightly tropical note, while the shot of espresso adds a rich and bold flavor with a caffeine boost. The tonic water contributes a slight bitterness to the drink, which is balanced out by the sweetness from the simple and vanilla syrups.

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Manhattan

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Inspired by a craft Manhattan, our aim was for a well-balanced and sophisticated cocktail. The end result is a multidimensional cocktail that is flavorful with tons of herb and spice undertones. Massage it to suit your taste–and of course, let us know what you think in the comments below!

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 dashes Fee brothers black walnut bitters
  • 1 1/2 oz Seedlip Spice 94
  • 1 teaspoon fresh brewed espresso
  • 1/4-1/2 oz pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 oz Luxardo maraschino cherry juice
  • 1/2 oz Lucini white balsamic vinegar
  • Cherry and orange peel, for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a shaker with ice. Add all the ingredients except your garnish to the shaker. Shake well to mix. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass. Add a large ice cube to the glass. Express the orange peel over the drink to release its essential oils, then use it to garnish the drink. Serve immediately and enjoy.

This soft Manhattan has a complex, well-balanced flavor with a touch of sweetness from the cherry juice and syrup. The balsamic provides a tangy fruit flavor, and the Seedlip Spice works with the bitters to provide slightly bitter but aromatic citrus top notes.

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Lincoln’s Queen

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Perfect for those who want to enjoy the complexity of an alcohol-based cocktail without the alcohol, Lincoln’s Queen is both refreshing and balanced with the subtleties of fresh herbs and bitters.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz club soda
  • 2 dashes of orange bitters
  • 2 sprigs of rosemary
  • 1 grapefruit slice for garnish
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

Muddle 2 sprigs of rosemary in the bottom of a shaker. Add freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and orange bitters to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake for about 10 seconds. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice cubes. Top up the glass with a splash club soda and stir gently. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary.

The combination of sweet and tart flavors from the grapefruit and simple syrup, balanced with the bitter notes from the orange bitters, creates a well-rounded and refreshing drink. The use of rosemary adds an herbal complexity that complements the other flavors. The carbonation from the club soda provides a lively mouthfeel, mimicking that of an alcohol-based cocktail.

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Espresso Tonic

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This one is a little bit out there, but the flavors work well together! Coffee and the bitterness of the grapefruit result in a satisfying–refreshing even–cocktail.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz pure maple syrup (or vanilla syrup or honey)
  • 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1 shot of your favorite espresso
  • 2 oz tonic water (preferably Fever Tree)
  • Grapefruit twist for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

Fill your shaker with ice, and add all the ingredients except the garnish and tonic water. Cover and shake well. Fill your highball glass with ice. Double strain the cocktail over the ice. Top with tonic water and garnish with your grapefruit twist.

The combination of coffee and grapefruit is a unique and interesting pairing. The bitterness of grapefruit provides a nice balance to the sweetness of the syrup, and the addition of lemon juice adds a pleasant tartness to the drink. Overall, this recipe results in a refreshing and satisfying drink for those who enjoy bitter flavors and a unique combination of ingredients. It’s worth trying if you’re looking for something new and intriguing to try.

Placeholder, photos coming soon.