Halcyon Sunset

Chamomile tea, best known as a folk remedy to help you sleep, might seem like an unlikely ingredient to mix with tequila, a spirit with a reputation as a party animal's drink, but the flavor profile of this pairing is actually quite old. According to Mexican cocktail lore, the original margaritas were mixed with a liqueur made from damiana flowers, which have a scent and flavor quite similar to chamomile. Here, a simple honey syrup infused with chamomile tea adds a complex but comforting sweetness to ISH Mexican Agave Spirit and punchy ruby red grapefruit. Take a mindful moment in between sips to allow the flavor of the soft, cozy chamomile finish to fully develop on the palate.

Tasting notes: complex but comfy: juicy, tart, and sweet, with a soft, round, herbal-floral, earthy vanilla bean finish

Halcyon Sunset

Serving: 1

INGREDIENTS

For the Chamomile Honey Syrup:

• 2 tbs raw, unfiltered honey (it should be solid or semi-solid at room temperature)

• 2 tbs boiling water

• 2 teabags of chamomile tea or 1 tbs loose chamomile tea (see note)

For the Halcyon Sunset:

• 1 ½ ounces ISH Mexican Agave Spirit

• ¾ ounce chamomile honey syrup

• 2 ounces fresh squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice

• garnish: grapefruit slice (optional)

DIRECTIONS

To make the Chamomile Honey Syrup:

1. Add the honey to a small jar with a tight fitting lid.

2. Pour the boiling water over the honey and stir until you have a uniform syrup.

3. Add the chamomile teabags (or loose leaf tea, if using) to the syrup and cover the jar with the lid.

4. Allow to steep at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.

5. Squeeze as much liquid out of the tea bags as possible. If using loose leaf tea, strain through a fine mesh sieve into a new jar.

6. Can be made in batches and kept in the refrigerator, tightly closed, for up to two weeks.

To make the Halcyon Sunset:

1. Pour all ingredients over ice in rocks glass.

2. Gently stir to combine.

3. Garnish with grapefruit slice and serve immediately.

Note: Make sure to use single ingredient chamomile tea that contains only chamomile with no other ingredients.