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Thank you to The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley for supporting A Bar Above!
Summer’s on the Horizon
With summer quickly approaching, I find myself feeling less interested in Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, and more interested in brighter drinks with summer ingredients. So when The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley offered us a sample of their Sweet Hibiscus blend, it seemed like the perfect way to start a drink celebrating the beginning of summertime.
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Developing the Cocktail
Whenever I start working with a new ingredient, I like to think about where it finds itself in local cuisine. That got me thinking of the Caribbean and South America, and made me think of using Tequila in the drink. I tasted the hibiscus blend with a bit of añejo tequila and knew it was a perfect pair. The hibiscus blend is sweet and floral with a slight acidity to it. The añejo tequila brings more weight than its silver counterparts, along with a slightly sweet barrel note to contrast the acidity in the blend. I was very happy with the combination.
I added lime juice for balance and to contrast the sweetness in the blend, but found the cocktail was still a bit on the sweet side, and wasn’t as aromatic as I’d hoped. Thankfully a dash of orange bitters solved both problems, brightening the aroma and masking the sweetness with a touch of bitterness.
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Pairs Well with Flip-Flops
If you get the chance to try this Sweet Hibiscus Blend – or if you request a sample using the link below – definitely put this cocktail on your list. I think it’s a great refreshing drink to kick off your summer without being overwhelmingly sweet!
Complimentary Purée Samples
The folks at The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley are offering complimentary samples to bartenders and chefs – including the Hibiscus Blend used in this recipe!
Their purees are a great option if you’re concerned about maintaining consistent acidity & flavor throughout the year, as well as offering time, labor and cost savings for your team.
I’ve used them quite a bit behind the bar and definitely recommend them!
Perfect Hibiscus Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz Anejo Tequila
- 1 oz The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley Sweet Hibiscus Blend
- 3/4 oz Lime Juice
- 1 dash Orange Bitters
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice
- Shake well
- Fine-strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a dried hibiscus petal, lime zest or both.
I was very pleased to see a cocktail made with Hibiscus! While living overseas I discovered the amazing flavor of hibiscus tea and am excited to try it in a cocktail!