We're returning from another long hiatus, but know that, although the nation is moving into neo-temperance, we are not. We just got really busy again. My hopes are that we can get five posts in this year to keep any Lounge Lizards out there still well-informed on what, where, and how to drink.
At the same time, I was reminiscing a bit on the 1990s and the college years (prepare for a Tiki TV post in the future!) and have had the Tupac Shakur murder trial on the boob tube for background noise. Tupac was shot down in Las Vegas 30 (!) years ago and would have been 55 years old if he were still alive today. That got me thinking... What would 'Pac be drinking? I have a guess. Given the amount of mentions of liquor in his tunes, there are three clear favorites: Hennessy, Alizé, and gin.
So, in memory of one of America's greatest rappers, let's create a libation for you to keep ya head up. For it, you'll need rosemary syrup. To make it, mix 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water and dissolve in nearly boiling water. Take off heat and steep a packed 1/4 cup of rosemary leaves for 20-25 minutes. Remove the leaves, strain, and cool.
Last Vegas Roll
Holly's Original
2 ounces gin (I used Old Tom)
1 ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur
3/4 ounce rosemary syrup
Splash of freshly-squeezed lemon
Shake all ingredients on ice. Strain into a cocktail glass or coupe. Garnish with lemon peel. As a fun variant, replace the Old Tom with Koval cranberry gin for an even more complex drink I call the Koval Stoplight.
As a chaser, try Tupac's own Thug Passion.
Thug Passion
Classic Pours
1 part Alizé Gold Passion
1 part Champagne (Tupac uses Cristal, most of us can't) or 1 part Hennessy cognac
Chill both bottles well before mixing. Pour equal parts in a glass suitable for a thug (ice optional). Stir lightly to keep your Champagne bubbles alive.
