Cocktail: Summer Slam 1.0 | Bartender: Alexander Destounis

This super simple summer cocktail was born out of sweet necessity. See I’m the only bartender at my current establishment and so I’ve been finding creative ways to make execution as simple as possible (for when I’m not around) and this lower ABV punch style drink hit the mark. It’s refreshing and complex thanks to the bitters, but you doesn’t take a lot of ingredients.

1.5oz Pineapple Mango Cordial*
0.5oz Havana 3 Year
0.5oz Appleton Estate
0.5oz Amaro Montenegro
2 dash Orange bitters
2 dash Angostura
1 dash Peach bitters

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake for 10-15 seconds. Dirty dump into glass OR strain over crushed ice. Float 0.25oz to 0.5oz Angostura on top.

*Pineapple Mango Cordial: In a blender add 11g Citric acid, 2g Malic acid**, 250g Mango juice, 250g Pineapple juice and 375g Demerara sugar.

**If you don’t have access to citric or malic acid, you can just use lime juice, around 250ml.

Alexander Destounis

My names Alex and last year I transitioned from back of house to bar. It’s been my goal since I was 11 years old to become the most honest and hard working restauranteur I can be and that means trying to understand all aspects of this industry. Seeing the work that goes into executing a wonderful service and great drinks has only been more inspirational. I feel a lot of us in the industry feel a disconnect between the front and back, but this last year really put it into perspective. What is great food without great drinks, and what are great drinks without great servers to share them. One team, one dream. Together we are legends.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller