Tacos, empanadas, and burritos go well with all kinds of drinks, but for some reason, mezcal above all hits the spot for many. Maybe it’s mezcal’s smokiness that enhances the spiciness associated with many traditional Hispanic dishes. Whatever it is, mezcal is a go-to for many Hispanic-inspired cocktails.
“We all love mezcal, so naturally, we had to have at least one cocktail on our menu that featured this spirit,” says Sara Pesserillo, one of the three owners of Hermanas Kitchen and Cocktails, a Hispanic restaurant, in Lindenhurst. “We also all love spicy things, so one of our cocktails was definitely going to bring the heat. To us, it seemed like a no-brainer to combine these two things.”
Hermanas’ team eventually came up with the hermanas picantes [spicy sisters] after going back and forth on how to incorporate mezcal into its cocktails. The cocktail’s made with mezcal, fresh lime juice, fresh grapefruit juice and habanero bitters.
“The best way to describe the hermanas picantes is as a spicy, smoky, grapefruit margarita,” Pesserillo says. ”Because there are people who do not prefer a smoky taste to their drinks, we do let guests know what to expect when they order the hermanas picantes. This cocktail most certainly has a permanent place on our cocktail menu; everyone loves it.”
Add all the ingredients together, shake, strain and serve over a large ice cube. Then garnish the cocktail with a Tajín salt rim and a slice of dehydrated grapefruit. The restaurant dehydrates all its dried garnishes in house.
“Go ahead and ask for it when you dine with us,” she says. “You won’t be disappointed.”
Other cocktails on Hermanas’ menu include Spanish gin tonic, lavender bees knees, mezcal mule, that purple drink, and fancy fashioned.
While reservations are not required, Hermanas highly suggests them, for spacing is limited, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
Hermanas Kitchen and Cocktails is located at 136 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst. It can be reached at 631-991-8999. hermanaslindy.com
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