Recipe from Market-Fresh Mixology,  by Bridget Albert and Mary Barranco

Recipe makes one cocktail

We worked tirelessly testing and testing this recipe and you won’t believe how delicious this beet cocktail is! You start by creating a beet juice on the stove, which creates a lovely flavor and the most gorgeous color for your cocktail. I suggest making lots of the juice so that you can make lots of these! I bet the beet juice will keep in the fridge for a number of days. Keep this one in mind for Christmas!

 

1 beet, peeled and sliced

Juice of three pressed limes

2 teaspoons brown sugar

Big pinch of ground ginger

1-1/2 ounces of tequila (I recommend silver tequila- the Tres Generaciones)

½ ounce of mezcal (optional)

Fresh Sour (1 cup of fresh lemon juice mixed with a ½ cup of simple syrup)

One beet leaf for garnish

In a sauté pan add your sliced beet, lime juice, brown sugar and ground ginger. Cover and simmer on medium heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the beets are tender. Stir occasionally. Remove the beets and let the liquid cool.

To a cocktail shaker add silver tequila, mescal (if using), cooled beet liquid (about 2 ounces per drink) and Fresh Sour. Add ice to your cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain into a pretty cocktail glass and garnish with a beet leaf. Put your feet up and enjoy this one!