Ingredients
- Crushed ice
- 2 ounces honey bourbon (like Jim Beam)
- Juice of 1/2 lime (approximately 1 tablespoon)
- Ginger beer (approximately 1/2 can)
- 1 tablespoon cranberry syrup
- For the cranberry syrup:
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 ounce tequila
- For garnish:
- 1 hollowed out lime half (save the lime when you juice it for the cocktail)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon mezcal (approximate amount, depends on the size of your lime half)
- Food grade citrus essential oils (optional)
Steps
- Make the cranberry syrup: Put the cranberries in a small saucepan and muddle well to release the juices. Add the sugar and water, and bring to a boil. Let boil for 3 minutes. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the tequila. Leave to cool then strain twice, and store in the fridge until ready to use.
- Prepare cocktail and garnish: Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice.
- Pour over the honey bourbon and lime juice. Fill almost to the top with ginger beer.
- Drizzle the cranberry syrup over the top (you may need to shake the container of syrup to loosen it for pouring).
- Put brown sugar in your lime half, and use the back of a spoon to spread the sugar all around the inside. Gently place the lime half on top of the drink, hollowed out side facing up.
- Fill the lime half with mezcal. If using, put a couple of drops of the food grade citrus essential oils over the top of the mezcal, and spread a drop or two around the rim of the lime half.
- Use a stick lighter to light the garnish. Let it burn for 10 seconds, then use a spoon to dunk the lime half into the drink to put out the flame and get the mezcal into the drink.
- Essential oils will help get you the big, impressive flame that burns. However, if you don't want to use essential oils just use a cook’s blow torch to burn the mezcal and lime — you'll get the same smokey taste and aroma, it just won't burn as high or as long.
- Safety first - keep a large bowl of water nearby just in case of any mishaps. Do not make this garnish if you’ve already consumed alcohol.
- Disclaimer: Wear gloves when handling essential oils. If applied directly to the skin and then exposed to heat, they can on occasion cause chemical burns.