The Search for Delicious, created by Kirk Estopinal, originated from a misremembered recipe, showcasing the beauty of cocktails born from error. This drink combines Punt e Mes with lemon juice, orange bitters, and salt, demanding precise measurements for a balanced outcome. It's celebrated for its complex flavor reminiscent of a Manhattan but lighter, making it accessible for weeknight enjoyment. Its creation process is highlighted as a ritual, reflecting the care and craftsmanship that elevate drink-making to an art form.
"I wanted to try it, but as usual, oral history failed," recalls Estopinal. His version, which makes a few minor departures from Cole's recipe, became "basically an accidental reinterpretation due to bad memory." The resulting "slightly different drink," however, was a winner.
The Search for Delicious, which appears in Rogue Cocktails, builds off a base complemented by Punt e Mes, a splash of lemon juice, orange bitters and a pinch of salt. These measurements are exacting.
Because of its low proof, I think of it as a weeknight-appropriate spin on the classic. But what keeps me coming back to the drink is, at least in part, the act of building it.
"I love drinks that have process and ceremony to them," which is exemplified in the precise measurements and preparation of the Search for Delicious.
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