La Niña Brava

Since May is also the month of Cinco de Mayo, this cocktail honors Mezcal. Tequila can only be made from the Blue Weber agave; Mezcal can be made from a variety of agave species, creating a wide range of flavors and styles. Production often involves roasting the agave hearts in underground pits, which imparts a distinctive smoky flavor to Mezcal.

This cocktail was created a few years ago in honor of Kristin Beck, a highly decorated Navy SEAL. A former member of the vaunted SEAL Team Six, Kristin (now detransitioned and known as Chris) has two sons, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, a  Meritorious Service Medal, and many other ribbons and service medals. After twenty years of service, Chris came out as a transgender woman in 2013 and once said, the only body armor she wears is “a very pretty dress and some heels.”

Ingredients:
1 ¼ oz (38 ml) Del Maguey Vida mezcal
¾ oz (22 ml) Cynar
¾ oz (22 ml) Dolin dry vermouth
¼ oz (8 ml) St. Germain liquor
1 grapefruit slice, twisted over cocktail to release oils

Directions: 
Fill cocktail shaker with ice
Add all ingredients and stir well to chill

Serves 1

Cheers,
Sue McNamara CS, CSW
Certified Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers
Certified Specialist of Wine, Society of Wine Educators

To obtain a copy of this recipe click on La Nina Brava

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