So how does one follow up a Phil Ward tequila drink? Easy, fight fire with fire and head to another famous NYC craft bar for a little tequila inspiration. Truth, we are back to using the PDT Cocktail Book and within this tomb of cocktail recipe bliss lies what I think is a hidden little gem.
Many times I find myself stumped — when feeling the urge to imbibe I usually force myself into a state of panic looking for new recipes to try. theSpeakista’s education is constantly on the move and so it doesn’t sit by idly looking for the old, but the new. Many a time though, when in these bouts of forced inspiration my mind gets into a loop similar to a computer shut down and I can’t, despite all the force of will, find anything that grabs my fancy. When this happens I almost always retreat to the safety that can only be found in the simple beauty of classic recipes. It is as if going through my baptism all over again, feeling renewed. As a lover of all things whisky(ey) related, classic rye and bourbon drink recipes make there way to my finger tips — Manhattan’s, Old Fashioned’s, Brooklyn’s and the often forgotten New Orleans wonder elixir, the Vieux Carre Cocktail.
Believing that I had set the ten recipes for this little adventure, I found myself one night thumbing 
through the many pages of recipes contained in the PDT Cocktail Book and was struck by Jonny Raglin’s drink the Nouveau Carre. Jonny decided to pay homage to New Orlean’s post Hurricane Katrina by riffing one of its most classic drinks. Taking the basic Vieux Carre formula and tweaking it, Jonny shows us once again that complimentary ingredients in perfect proportions will always be joy on one’s palate. Who would have thought that the dominating herbal liqueur Benedictine would find itself a perfect partner with the equally dominating tasting tequila? These two powerfully flavored characters are balanced, blended and kept in check with a slightly sweet and nicely botanical aromatized wine.
A simple, beautifully constructed recipe that does an amazing job showcasing tequila.
Nouveau Carre
Recipe created by Jonny Raglin, San Francisco, 2005 (taken from the PDT Cocktail Book) and adapted by theSpeakista
• 1 1/2 oz Ocho Anejo tequila (Sauza Anejo Conmemorativo was used)
• 3/4 oz Lillet Blanc (Cocchi Americano was used)
• 1/4 oz Benedictine
• 3 dashes Peychauds Bitters
Garnish: lemon twist
Glass: coupe or other cocktail glass
Tools: mixing glass, bar-spoon and julep strainer
Assembly: Mix all of the ingredients in a mixing glass with plenty of cracked and non-cracked ice until the drink is well chilled and pour into the serving glass. Garnish and serve.
Wow, this was a really fun day for Tequila in 10. Tomorrow, a simple equation: my favorite place to imbibe in this amazing city + tequila = one happy theSpeakista (and you too)!
