I have to give a shout out to the Hella Company for making some great bitters and syrups. Most importantly, their products have found their way to large Harris-Teeter chains here in North Carolina, which is awesome. Amateurs with an eye for bitters can find their products right there next to major chain mixers. I’m glad they’ve been accepted into the mainstream, for good reason – their bitters and syrups are great!
For this drink I started with Hella Hibiscus syrup as a base, and built the rest of the drink around that solid hibiscus flavor base. The second major flavor product in this cocktail is Fabrizia’s Blood Orange liqueur. You probably know Fabrizia as a Limoncello maker, but this latest blood orange spirit is solid and a great mixer that adds sweetness and blood orange flavor in ways that augment citrus flavors and tie everything together. I made this drink two ways. The first is very fruity, but a little tart and not overly sweet. If you are looking for a sweet drink, add the optional ingredients as well.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Hella Hibiscus syrup
- 1 oz Fabrizia Blood Orange liqueur
- 1 oz Deaths’ Door gin
- 4 blackberries
- 1 dash Hella citrus bitters
- 1 dash Hella ginger bitters
- (optional) 1/2 oz Cointreau
- (optional) 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Muddle the blackberries, then add the liquid ingredients. Shake over ice and double strain to remove the blackberry pulp. For a sweeter drink add the Cointreau and Simple Syrup. Garnish with blackberries and lemon peel!
