Thou Shall Not Be Named

Thou Shall Not Be Named by Alicia Perry

As luck would have it, I discovered an ideal cocktail to toast this little brass treasure cube with essentially, no name. You might think that finding a toast for a non-named puzzle might pose a challenge, and typically, you would be right! But this little gem fell into my inbox in what can only be considered serendipity. It’s an elegant variation on the classic Boulevardier, created by San Diego bartender Alicia Perry, who has been known to prioritize “accessibility and playfulness” in her cocktails.

what’s in a name …

Perry tends bar at my favorite spot for a cocktail in San Diego, the award winning Polite Provisions. I have featured a number of libations created there and by the bar’s owner Erick Castro over the years, and even did a feature there “on location” once. At one point, years ago, they had a little Karakuri cake puzzle box I gave them on display behind the bar. Perry’s tongue in cheek cocktail swaps agave spirits for the grain whiskey typically found in a Boulevardier, and swaps the ubiquitous Campari for a smoky rhubarb root amaro that I am also rather fond of using. It’s particularly nice when the weather turns chilly, as was the highly unusual case here in Houston recently. She describes it as “stirred and direct”, which is comforting as you succumb to the mis-direct of this charming brass box. Cheers!

a pair of no names

Thou Shall Not Be Named by Alicia Perry

1 ½ oz reposado tequila (El Tesoro)

½ oz mezcal (Del Maguey Vida)

½ oz Amaro Sfumato Rabarbaro

½ oz sweet vermouth (Cocchi di Torino)

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Lemon twist.

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