Cassandra Adams

Also agree. We went 3:1 and still found it a little sweet.

I loved the balance of the gin herbals here with the Suze; it seemed to highlight the botanicals in each. We actually had it before and with a strongly flavoured pasta dish, and it held its own there too.

Wonderful. This seems like a cocktail for those who are still unsure about mezcal: the citrus and "sour" approach mellows the spirit and allows you to enjoy the smokiness without being overwhelmed.

We used tequila reposado and a 2.5/2.5 blend of cane syrup and Almave (nonalcoholic agave spirit) in lieu of the proper ingredients. Overall a truly unusual aperitif, with a subtle woody, nutty and smoky flavour that is likely to appeal to those who enjoy peaty whisky. Those who do will no doubt add this to their list of favourites.