It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere Friday: The Trinidad Sour

I've known Jamie since college.  It's always seemed to me that the friends you make in college are the most intimate because they get to know you at such a vulnerable time in your life.  Everybody freaks out in some way when they hit college, and our college friends have the great pleasure of reminding us about it for the rest of our lives.  He came over the other night to watch a game; I cooked, he brought the drinks.  He's one of the most well read, creative, and multi talented people I know, and whenever we get together it's a sure bet I'll be introduced to something new.

Like this Trinidad Sour.  He didn't tell us what was in it, he just set about making them at the kitchen sink, and handed us our glasses.  The color is stunning, don't you think? 

It's the perfect Valentine's Day cocktail, and it isn't just the color, the taste will blow you and your Valentine away.  It's an unusual recipe, calling for equal parts bitters and orgeat syrup, along with lemon juice and rye whiskey.  The orgeat syrup is made from almonds, sugar, and orange blossom water.  How luscious is that?  Angustura Bitters, made in Trinidad, were first bottled in the 1820s as a tonic by a German doctor in Venezuela.  The taste is intense, and normally you'd use just a dash or two in a drink recipe.  An entire ounce of bitters gives the Trinidad Sour a very unique flavor.  But the drink isn't bitter, in fact it's quite sweet, with a vibrant almond/cherry flavor.  And then the lemon juice pulls it back from being too sweet.  You'll have to try it and see for yourself. 

Trinidad Sour   
1 oz Angostura Aromatic bitters  
1 oz orgeat syrup  
3/4 oz lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)  
1/2 oz rye

• Shake well with ice and strain in to a cocktail glass.

That's it.  Part love potion, part really good cocktail.  You have exactly 2 weeks to practice.  Go check your bitters bottle, and hit the thrift store for some pretty cocktail glasses.

But whatever you do, please, people, use your new found power for good  ;)


One year ago today---

Dark Chocolate Nutella