alligator monday

1 oz Mezcales de Leyenda (Fidencio Espadin Joven)
1 oz Fernet Branca Menta
1 oz Lime Juice
1 oz Orgeat
5 drop Saline 1:3 Solution (1 pinch Salt)

Short shake with ice, strain into a glass, fill with crushed ice, and garnish with a mint sprig and orange zest (orange twist only).

Two Thursdays ago, I received an email from the KLG public relations firm featuring recipes that showcase their clients' products such as Fernet Branca and Mezcales de Leyenda. The one that called out to me was the Alligator Monday by Maks Pazuniak at Brooklyn's Jupiter Disco. The name struck me as a reference to the Fernet Branca alligator mascot until I searched on the web and discovered that it is the song title from the math-rock band Cuzco. At Jupiter Disco, their current menu reads Fidencio Mezcal, so I utilized that as one of the equal parts here.
Even without the mint sprig, the Alligator Monday's aroma was rather minty from the Branca Menta and this joined the bright oils from the orange twist on the nose. Next, a creamy lime and caramel sip gave way to mint with nutty and smoky agave undertones on the swallow.