The Ginger Rogers Redux

As light on its feet as its namesake, this slightly spicy, lightly sweet, smoky cocktail is as balanced as it is complex.

2 oz. white rum
¾ oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. maple-ginger syrup
Mezcal, to rinse
Tools: shaker, strainer
Glass: cocktail
Garnish: ground cinnamon

Rinse a glass with mezcal and discard the excess liquid. Pour the remaining ingredients into a shaker and add ice. Shake and strain into the rinsed glass. Garnish with cinnamon.

Maple-Ginger Syrup: Purée equal parts fresh ginger (peeled) and simple syrup (1:1), strain and combine with an equal measure of grade B maple syrup. Transfer to a bottle and refrigerate to up to 2 weeks.

Andee Brown, Fauna, Oakland