Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: Falling Into The Season

Happy Fall Friday! I’m always a little sad when Fall arrives. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy Fall. Football is back, Hockey season is about to start and Fall beer season is by far the best beer season. Though Fall means cooler weather is on the way, and I’m not quite ready to let the summer go. That is where this week’s drink comes in. I found a recipe for a cocktail called “Expat” from the Gramercy Tavern in New York. It’s a cocktail that takes inspiration from a Hemingway Daiquiri and an Old Cuban. I’m always looking for creative ways to get rum more involved in this space, on top of the fact that this drink seems like the perfect reminder that while Fall means cooler weather, warm places are always accessible.

Gramercy Tavern’s Expat

2 oz. aged rum, such as Banks “7 Golden Age” rum
1/2 oz. maraschino liqueur
1/4 oz. fresh juice from about 2 limes
1/4 oz. simple syrup (see note)
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Lime wheel

First of all, there is something wrong with the listed proportions. 1/4 ounce of juice from 2 limes? Something is fucked there. I managed that from a little bit less than a half of lime since I took the wheel garnish from the same half I juiced for the 1/4 ounce of juice. I’m not even sure what they were trying to go with there, but that is not correct in any stretch of the imagination.

Anyway, the nose is slightly sweet from the equal parts maraschino liqueur and simple syrup. I’m also getting some very subtle hints of line from the garnish as well. I don’t get anything from the rum here. Not exactly surprising though. I wouldn’t necessarily expect that to shine here.

The sip is excellent. It starts out surprisingly sweet, but not too bad. It’s a bit sweeter than I would have anticipated, but I don’t think I hate it. Underneath the maraschino/ simple syrup sweetness, I get traces of the lime juice. The lime definitely keeps the maraschino and the simple syrup from overpowering the drink, while playing nicely with the rum. Speaking of, the rum for me is almost undetectable. There are very faint traces of the rum in there, but I don’t necessarily think that’s the point. This drink benefits from the base spirit taking a more supportive role in the flavor palate and construction. The finish is a sweet, and slightly sour flavor combination with no residual flavors remaining on the palate for any extended period of time.

I’d definitely make this again. This is a good way to get one last warm weather drink in before the season really starts to change, or as a mid winter reminder of warmer weather and warmer places. However, as I said above, this drink is a one and done as is. Next time, I’m gonna up the lime to a full half ounce and adjust from there.

(Banner image courtesy Matthew Tetrault Photography)