Red Wagon Cocktail

I call this cocktail the Red Wagon, because the crème de cassis gives it a deep reddish hue. This drink is refreshing and crisp but not cloy, perfect for early fall. You might think the cassis would overwhelm the tequila but it does not—both shine through, perfectly balanced.

Crème de cassis is a dark red liqueur flavored by black currants, which are cassis French. The liqueur is sweet, with the overwhelming note of black currants—pure dark fruit, the archetypal note in Cabernet Sauvignon. Real crème de cassis is made in Burgundy and the best, labeled Crème de Cassis de Dijon, comes from Dijon.

Makes 1 drink.

Ingredients:

1.5 ounces (1 jigger shot) tequila blanco, such as Patrón Silver
1/2 ounce (1/2 pony shot) crème de cassis
1/2 ounce (1/2 pony shot) lime juice
1 ounce (1 pony shot) San Pellegrino Limonata
1 lime twist, to garnish

Fill a cocktail shaker with large ice cubes. Add the tequila, crème de cassis, and lime juice to the shaker. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Let rest until the outside of the shaker begins to sweat.

Fill a pilsner glass with large ice cubes. Simultaneously strain in the contents of the cocktail shaker and add the San Pellegrino Limonata. Garnish with a lime twist. Serve.