mayor rock

1 oz Mezcal (Fidencio)
1 oz Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy
1 tsp Agave Nectar
2 dash Angostura Bitters
1 dash Orange Bitters

Build in a rocks glass, add ice, stir, and garnish with an orange twist.

Two Mondays ago, I returned to Emma Janzen's Mezcal book where I was lured in by the Mayor Rock. This recipe was crafted by Ricky Gomez at the Teardrop Lounge in Portland, Oregon; it never made the menu there, but it did at Riffle across town, and he later had it on the menu on Compère Lapin when he relocated to New Orleans. The idea of Pechuga mezcal traditionally being made with apples in the still made him think of this combination, and I have enjoyed mezcal and apple brandy before in recipes like the Sailor's Delight, Grand Bargain, and Moment in the Sun. Moreover, the simplicity of the drink reminded me of the Oaxacan Old Fashioned.The Mayor Rock presented orange, smoke, and apple aromas to the nose. Next, a rich sip led into smoky vegetal, apple, and clove flavors on the swallow.