Loaded Pistol

Created by Erick Castro, the co-founder of San Diego’s Polite Provisions, the Loaded Pistol uses a garnish of grasshopper salt to enhance the flavors of mezcal, sweet vermouth and Strega, but also to lend a unique aspect.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces mezcal

• 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth

• 1/2 ounce Strega

• 1 dash grapefruit bitters

• Garnish: grasshopper salt*

Instructions:

Add the mezcal, sweet vermouth, Strega and grapefruit bitters to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.

Strain into double Old Fashioned glass over a large ice cube.

Garnish with sprinkle of grasshopper salt.

*Grasshopper salt: In a blender, add 1/2 cup flaky sea salt and 2 teaspoons dehydrated grasshoppers. Set blender to pulse and blend for 7 to 12 seconds or until grasshoppers and salt are well-mixed. Store and seal grasshopper salt in an airtight container.

Attribution:

Recipe: Erick Castro/Polite Provisions

Origin: Liquor.com

Photo: Arlene Ibarra