Today's cocktail is inspired by the modern classic, Feliz Navidad. Written by José Feliciano in 1970, the simplicity of the Spanish and English verses resonated internationally and soon it became one of the most played and recorded Christmas songs in the world.
When imagining the cocktail we'd be holding in our hands while belting out Feliz Navidad, we simultaneously shouted "Margarita!". Sure, José Feliciano is technically Puerto Rican, but we had already done a drink from there last year. We debated the type of fruit that we wanted to use but finally landed on the golden berry which gives a nice sunny orange-yellow colour to the cocktail.
Feliz Navidad Cocktail
2 oz reposado tequila
1 1/2 oz Tuaca
1 oz golden berry puree
1/2 oz lime
1 oz simple syrup
2 droppers of Apothecary Bitters Tlalocan
Cocktail glass
Bung everything into a cocktail tin with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled glass.
Cocktail Notes
We made the golden berry puree by whizzing a half a pint of berries with a couple of tablespoons of water in a blender. You may have to strain the puree depending on the strength of your blender.
Originally, we tried persimmon puree for the drink, but the persimmons had absolutely no flavour. Like none. Zip. We happened to have some golden berries in the house and thought, why not? They are slightly sweet and add a nice tartness to the drink.
This is one of those times where bitters helped to really make the cocktail. The component parts of the cocktail were fine but they needed something to join them together and the Tlalocan bitters did the trick. They sweetened the drink, brought out the citrus and vanilla flavours and made an ok cocktail pretty dang tasty.
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