With all the cocktail books that have appeared, we finally see many cocktails secrets in the spotlight. Authors are telling us those special things that mixologists, for generations, have done to fashion exceptional cocktails — ones that we have been unable to duplicate at home for ourselves.
The cocktail secrets include fruit flavors and sugar. Your great cocktail bar margarita probably came with an equal amount of both lime/lemon juice and sugar syrup. Simple syrup in cocktails works, chemically, to smooth and simultaneously amplify the flavors of your spirits. Alcohol by itself can be overwhelming. Alcohol with sugar acquires an aura, and an aroma, of civilization.
Even better than plain sugar syrup is one flavored with fruit. Mango simple syrup is a device of enormous utility in your cocktail world. Using this syrup in your margarita adds a complete new layer, a nuanced layer, of flavor. Rum, whiskey, and even gin are marriage partners-in-waiting. You can make this today, but use it within a week. Even refrigerated this syrup has short shelf life.
And how do you use t that syrup? The classic recipe for a daiquiri is rum, lime juice, and simple syrup [or sugar, but I prefer the mixing ease of simple syrup].
Let’s change that classic mix. Instead of lime juice, use grapefruit juice. Instead of simple syrup, use this mango brand. And, let’s add some ice to get the frozen delight you see pictured. That mango syrup will not last more than a week in your fridge, so this is the perfect way to use it up and enjoy every sweet molecule.
Mango Simple Syrup
Yield: ~2 cups
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large ripe mango, peeled and cut into small pieces
Preparation:
Put the water and sugar in a saucepan and stir to mix. Apply medium high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer.
Add the mango pieces and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Strain to remove the mango pieces, pour into a jar, and refrigerate.
Source: Brian O’Rourke
Frozen Mango Grapefruit Daiquiri
Yield: scale to your needs
Ingredients:
- 9 parts rum
- 5 parts grapefruit juice
- 3 parts mango simple syrup
- Ice
Preparation:
Add the ingredients to your blender and whirl away. Use enough ice to achieve the consistency level you desire.
Source: Brian O’Rourke
Photo Information for the Syrup: Canon T2i, EFS 60mm Macro Lens, F/5.6 for1/100th second at ISO‑500
