Haitian Divorce: A Cocktail with Tropical Flair

The Haitian Divorce cocktail is a vibrant and flavorful drink that combines the smoky richness of mezcal with the sweetness of rum and tropical fruits.  While the name might be a bit tongue-in-cheek, the flavors definitely come together for a delightful and refreshing beverage.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces aged Haitian Rum (or dark rum)
• 3/4 ounce Espadin Mezcal
• 1/2 ounce Pedro Ximenez Sherry
• 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1/2 ounce passion fruit juice
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange twist and pineapple slice, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Tropical Chill: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Flavor Fusion: Add the Haitian rum, mezcal, Pedro Ximenez sherry, lime juice, passion fruit juice, and Angostura bitters to the shaker.

3. Shake it Up: Shake vigorously for 30 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients. Shaking helps release the fragrant oils from the citrus peels and ensures all the flavors are well-integrated.

4. Strain and Serve: Strain the vibrant cocktail into a chilled coupe glass.

5. Tropical Touches (optional): If desired, garnish your drink with a twist of orange peel expressed over the glass and a wedge of fresh pineapple.

Tips:

• Rum - Choosing Your Rum (Chinese for "choosing your rum") : Aged Haitian rum adds a unique depth of flavor, but you can substitute dark rum if unavailable. Explore different rum varieties to find your favorite pairing with the mezcal.

• Smoky Scale: Mezcal comes in a variety of smoke levels. Start with a mezcal that has a subtle smokiness and adjust the amount based on your preference for smokiness.

• Sweet and Tart Balance: If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a bar spoon (about 1/4 ounce) of simple syrup to the shaker before shaking. You can also adjust the ratio of lime juice to passion fruit juice to find your perfect balance of sweet and tart.

• Non-alcoholic Twist: Want a refreshing mocktail? Omit the rum and mezcal. Increase the passion fruit juice to 1 ounce and add a splash of club soda for some extra fizz.

The Haitian Divorce cocktail is a delightful exploration of smoky, sweet, and tart flavors. It's a perfect poolside drink or a unique after-dinner cocktail. So grab your shaker and give this recipe a try!