pipe dream

1 oz Del Maguey Mezcal Vida
1 oz Bonal Gentiane-Quina
1 oz Lustau Oloroso Sherry
1/4 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
2 dash Regan's Orange Bitters

Stir with ice and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Two Mondays ago, we ventured down to the South End to get dinner at Estragon. For a first drink, I asked bartender Sahil Mehta for the Pipe Dream that he had mentioned in his OnTheBar status. The recipe is his take on a Martinez with mezcal, and the idea appealed to me especially after considering John Mayer's own mezcal variation, the Des Esseintes. Sahil described how he used the classic two parts wine-based ingredients to one part spirit here similar to how he enjoys his gin Martinezes at home.
The Pipe Dream's orange oils mingled with the mezcal smoke on the nose. A grape and orange sip gained much complexity on the swallow which showcased nutty, bitter, and smokey agave flavors. Overall, the Maraschino worked well here to unify the various elements and bolster the oloroso sherry notes.