Juanita’s lipstick cocktail
Made by Christopher Niles, cocktail director at Starbelly. (3583 16th St.)
To note: This cocktail is named after local drag queen royalty Juanita More. I asked Juanita for bartender references for this column, and she referred me to Niles, who provided a cocktail named after her. After that, I lightly suggested to Juanita that she’s a press ham, and she replied with photos of her drinking the cocktail. To wit— I don’t fault her in this instance one bit. Juanita’s annual Pride party is one of the key must-attends, complete with some of my favorite local fashion all year, and she donates thousands upon thousands from ticket sales to charity.
Venmo her at @Juanita-More
- 2 ounces of 21 Seeds grapefruit hibiscus tequila (any type of clear tequila or mezcal on hand will work)
- 0.75 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce hibiscus tea syrup (recipe below)
- 1.5 ounces dry grapefruit soda such as Q Grapefruit (or even a grapefruit La Croix)
Directions: Combine the 21 Seeds grapefruit hibiscus tequila, lime juice, and hibiscus tea syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with the grapefruit soda and garnish with a grapefruit wheel and a sprig of mint.
Hibiscus tea syrup
- 1 cup of water, cold
- 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 tablespoon agave
Directions: Place cold water and add the dried hibiscus flowers in a small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the agave, stir to dissolve and allow it to cool. Pour the concentrate through a strainer to remove the flowers.
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