Mountain Moonshine
Photo: Oscar Zagal
Mountain Dew fully realized in a cocktail.
Bartenders have long played with Coca-Cola in cocktails, including reducing the soda down to a rich syrup. But at Bar Envie in Long Beach, California, beverage director Mike Borowski wanted to apply the idea to Mountain Dew, using it in a white whiskey cocktail as a nod to the soda’s ties to moonshine. In this recipe, the soda is transformed into a spiced syrup, which mimics “some flavor profiles of a Caribbean falernum,” says Borowski.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. white whiskey (Bar Envie uses Koval White Rye)
- 1 1/2 oz. Dew syrup
- 1/2 oz. Gran Classico bitter liqueur
- 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 2 oz. soda water
- ________________________
- Dew Syrup
- 1/2 cup Mountain Dew soda syrup
- 25g fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1g cloves
- 1/2 stalk lemongrass
- zest of 1/2 lime
- Tools:shaker, strainer
- Glass:collins
- Garnish:candied ginger and lemon peel
Preparation
Add the first 4 ingredients to the shaker with ice, shake to chill, then strain over ice into a glass. Top with soda water. Garnish.
Dew SyrupHeat the Mountain Dew soda syrup (1 1/2 cups of Mountain Dew soda reduced down to 1/2 cup over very low heat, being careful not to boil or scorch) to a near boil over medium heat, being careful not to scald. Reduce the heat and add the remaining ingredients. Break up and smash the lemongrass stalk to release the flavor. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the aromatics fully release. Remove from the heat and add lime zest. Allow to steep until cooled to room temperature. Refrigerate for 24 hours and strain. Will last in a refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.