Richard Elgar

Prefer Elgar's proportions for uses other than pouring over pancakes:
2 oz rye (Rough Rider "The Big Stick")
3/4 oz vermouth (Tempus Fugit "Alessio")
1/4 oz Benedictine
~4 ml (~3/4 tsp) absinthe (to taste)
1 good dash each Peychaud's, Bitter Truth Creole Bitters
Stir w/ ice, serve in Old Fashioned glass w/ big ice cube for dilution, garnish w/ cherry. A more complex and interesting rye Manhattan, Louisiane style.

I do like this with a big ice cube too.

An interesting conversation here comparing the virtues of our host's recipe with that of commenter Elgar. In support of our host's position we say that context is all. In Louisiana, everything presses on the senses: the heat, the rain, the aroma of flowers, the greenery...and the pungent aroma and taste of the local cuisine (Gumbo, dirty rice, po boy sandwiches overflowing with shrimp). So who, sitting in a Bourbon Street bar over lunch, would prefer Mr Elgar's austere, lackluster recipe?

I think sitting in a bar off of Bourbon Street, perhaps Iberville Street, where there are fewer concoctions aimed at the spring break crowd, a person might prefer my more whiskey-forward version as being less austere, and less lackluster! But that's the great thing about cocktails. You can adjust them to your taste! I just happen to prefer more spirit-forward cocktails! I came across this drink first at the 21st Amendment Bar at La Louisiane. On Iberville Street.

Yes, we use Cocchi Dopo Teatro. To our taste their di Torino rosso vermouth is too light and vanilla for a La Louisiane. btw you'll have to go to page 2 of the comments to find Mr Elgar's recipe but it's still there.

I'm happy to hear that my recipe is still there. I do enjoy these conversations, even though I didn't notice this thread last year! Cheers!

Thanks, Richard. I wish I'd picked up on your recipe and the Mezcalita back in 2023. My recipe has the same alcohol strength, or even a little higher than yours, due to a lower proportion of orange juice, but fewer units of alcohol due to smaller measures. Your recipe has 90ml of 40% liquor, while I try to keep to 75ml max.

In all cases, it's a great drink! Cheers!

Looks good! Seems a little weaker than the one I submitted in 2023!! The salt seems appropriate, but I'm not sure it's needed if using Tajín.
https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/20117/mezcalita