A Flavored Vodka Fit for an Award Winner

Photo: copyright © 2017 by Doron Gild

This Happy Hour, we’re sharing a recipe for all the flavored vodka skeptics out there. We get that memories of plastic jugs and sugar rushes can turn enthusiasts off from these spirits, but stay with us a moment. If anyone can change your mind, we figure it’s Jim Meehan, cocktail virtuoso and author of the James Beard Award–winning book, Meehan’s Bartender Manual. He’s a passionate proponent of gently infused craft spirits, like the citrusy vodka featured in this recipe for the Parkside Fizz.

Meehan first developed the drink for the bar at New York City’s iconic Gramercy Tavern. He starts by muddling mint leaves with orgeat, a Lebanese syrup made from blanched almonds. Then, he pours in vodka that’s flavored with Buddha’s Hand, an extremely aromatic and curiously shaped citrus we encourage you to Google. Lemon juice provides some acid, and then the whole drink is shaken up, served over ice, and garnished with a mint sprig. Get the recipe and make it this weekend.

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Frank Guerriero is the media assistant at the Beard Foundation. Find him on Instagram.