Published: 7/28/2016 12:24:59 PM
It was Tuesday, “burger night” at the Mick, the lobby bar at the Delaney House on Route 5 in Holyoke, and I had made plans to meet my friend Lori for a burger and cocktails.
I guess I underestimated travel time and traffic, because when I arrived, Lori was already seated at the bar with only half a Cosmo in her glass.
Apologies given and accepted, we looked over the burger section of the menu. Linda, the bartender, provided me with a cocktail menu as well.
Lori chose a gorgonzola burger and though I opted for a pretty standard cheeseburger (lettuce, tomato, mayo), I went a little crazy with my drink, ordering the Lavandou, a blueberry vodka and lavender simple syrup cocktail. It was good, and had a rich color, but it was a little sweet for me.
So, as the burgers arrived (they were excellent), I perused the cocktail list again, looking for round two. I was still in the mood to experiment, so this time, I got the Aureo cocktail. (Lori waited to try mine to see if she liked it — she did.)
The Aureo is a tequila-based drink with citrus juices, cinnamon and Licor 43 (a Spanish liqueur made from citrus and fruit juices and flavored with vanilla and 43 other aromatic herbs and spices).
This one was delicious at first sip. In fact, if I hadn’t had the Lavandou, I might have ordered another.
Looks like I’ll have to go back.
Tim Driscoll is a bartender, a former bar owner and a perpetual student of mixology.
How to make an Aureo cocktail
Serves one
1½ ounces Olmeca Altos Plata tequila
½ ounce Licor 43
½ ounce cinnamon-infused simple syrup (To make this, add one or two cinnamon sticks to equal parts boiled water and sugar. Simmer for 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool and steep.)
½ ounce each pineapple, lemon and lime juice
Shake ingredients and strain into a chilled martini glass
Garnish with a lime wedge