We’ve started a new tradition this summer at The Little Nell. Every Wednesday we’re posting one of our summer cocktails from the Montagna Bar along with a recipe so you can re-create your favorites at home, wow your guests or simply enjoy knowing the mixology secrets of our talented bar staff.
This week’s pick features a bit more complicated drink — because it involves fire. Yep, you can have a “Cocktail” movie moment with this impressive beverage.
Smokey Monk 
- 1 ½ oz Los Danzantes Mezcal
- ¾ oz Yellow Chartreuse
- ½ oz Passion Fruit Nectar
- 1 oz Sour Mix
Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a flamed orange slice. (OK, so here’s how to do this. Cut a quarter-sized piece of orange rind. Hold it between your index finger and thumb. Put flame three inches in front of it, between the orange rind and the martini. Pinch fingers together so the orange oil passes through the flame, igniting and falling into the glass for a shower of flaming orange zest. Everyone will be impressed.)
Interesting tidbit: Mezcal, or mescal, is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the maguey plant (a form of agave, Agave americana) native to Mexico. The maguey grows in many parts of Mexico, though most mezcal is made in Oaxaca. There is a saying attributed to Oaxaca regarding the drink: “para todo mal, mezcal y para todo bien también” (for everything bad, mezcal, and for everything good, too.)
In Mexico, mezcal is generally drunk straight and has a strong smoky flavor. Though not as popular as tequila (a mescal made specifically from the blue agave in select regions of the country), Mexico does export the product, mostly to Japan and the United States, and exports are growing.
Enjoy,
Joey and the Montagna Bar Staff
