Every celebration-loving social circle deserves to have their very own mixologist in the mix. Sure, you could get by without one, but why would you want to?
My family’s very own mixologist is Jake, my sister’s fiance (they’re getting married in just a few weeks!) and a connoisseur of cocktails both professionally and personally. In addition to mixing up drinks at one of Chicago’s best known tiki bars, he has the most extensive in-house liquor collections I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen some liquor collections in my day.
I’m a mezcal fan, and I still dream about the spicy, smoky, citrusy mezcal margaritas Jake made for my last birthday.
So naturally I turned to him for help to create a batch summer cocktail that would complement the fresh, produce-forward menu for June’s summer solstice party. My only ask was that the batch summer cocktail be a whiskey drink. And he delivered.
“Lifestyle Grog” is a perfectly balanced mix of sweet, sour and bitter, all anchored by the warm, mellow taste of the rye whiskey, and a note of mystery provided by the absinthe. It’s irresistibly drinkable and super easy to serve at a party, but be careful…. like all Jake’s concoctions, it definitely packs a significant punch!
Jake’s Batch Summer Cocktail “Lifestyle Grog”
- 1 cup Rittenhouse Rye whisky
- 4 oz Plantation Xaymaca rum
- 4 oz Smith and Cross rum
- 1 oz Pernod Paris absinthe
- 1 cup passionfruit syrup
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 4 oz lime juice
- 10 dashes of angostura bitters
- 1/2 bottle of dry champagne or sparkling wine (brut)
Mix all ingredients together except the champagne and pour into an ice-filled pitcher. Add the bubbly. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint.
For the passionfruit syrup:
- 14 oz bag of frozen passionfruit pulp
- 3 1/2 cups chilled simple syrup
Thaw the passionfruit pulp in the fridge. Combine with the simple syrup.
