I thought I’d never drink red wine on a hot summer day until I walked into Sun Liquor Lounge in Seattle and asked their ace bar manager, Chelsea, to make me something with Mezcal. The refreshing, well-chilled cocktail she came up with sneaks in some red wine in the form of a artful float atop a blend of freshly-squeezed citrus juices and spirits. Perhaps you’d like to know more about this cocktail? What was the inspiration? Chelsea explains, “It is a play on a Jersey Sour which is typically made with Applejack but I find it to be such a well balanced recipe that it works really well with lots of spirits including Mezcal!” She was even kind enough to share the recipe:
- 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
- 1/2 oz Orange Juice
- 1 1/2 oz Fidencio Clásico Mezcal
- 1/2 oz Orange Curacao
Add ice, shake and serve up in a coupe, then, using the back of a bar spoon, float red wine on top of the cocktail.
And, befitting a bar like Sun Liquor, they don’t float some clown juice red wine on your freshly crafted cocktail. It’s topped with Hedges CMS Red, a Washington State blend of Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah.
Now the only thing left is to think of a name for this cocktail. Any thoughts? Let me know in the comments. If you’re in Seattle, it may help to go to Sun Liquor Lounge and have a couple. You know, for inspiration.
Sounds stunning. A bit sangria-ish, even. I adore a perfect sangria in the summer. Or even a not-so-perfect sangria! (Sorry to say that this is how I use up red or white wine well-meaning friends bring to parties for us to “drink later.”) But on summer reds: I chill a Pinot Noir just a bit any time, but especially in the summer. And somehow zinfandel doesn’t bother me; it just seems right with things on the grill. I do see a lot of people reaching into the cooler for a beer, though, or sticking with really cold roses. And it IS time for them. Still: Come on, fall!!!
Alyce, I’ll take a chilled Beaujolais, too. But partial to rosés and, of course, beer. Thank you for your comment.
FLAMEZ or the FLAMEZ FLOAT?
or FlamMEZ?
(could be pronounced flames-z or flah-MEZ) ?!
apologies for the stream of consciousness…
basically, it is just a play on how flaming HOT it is out there right now and the fact that there is mezcal in this super yummy sounding cocktail!
I have had numerous stream-of-consciousness thoughts while drinking this cocktail. Cheers!
This inspired me to try a variation with Scotch and a nice Zabaco Reserve Zinfandel. I omitted the lemon juice in favor of a full ounce of orange, and cut the curaçao in half. Quite nice!
Daniel,
Love to read your take on this cocktail. I’ve had it with Scotch, too. Anything with that smoky profile really adds something extra. Cheers!
Jameson
Now this is my kind of cocktail!
So fun to see you two weeks in a row. Look forward to crossing paths again soon!
Erina,
Thanks for the comment; great to see you as always. And, hey, we should go to Sun Liquor for a round. Maybe we can brainstorm a name for this fantastic cocktail?!?
Best,
Jameson