Nectarine Campfire

Biting into a ripe plum and having its juice run down your chin. Slicing a fresh peach into a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Turning apricots, rosemary, and sugar into an effortless, classically French dessert. Or maybe inventing a smoky, fruity summer cocktail with mezcal and nectarines.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 fresh nectarine or peach, plus a slice for garnish

• 2 to 3 large basil leaves

• 2 ounces mezcal

• 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice

• 3/4 ounce simple syrup

Instructions:

• Cut a nectarine into large chunks and put it into a cocktail shaker. Tear basil leaves and add to the shaker. Muddle vigorously—you really want to mash up the nectarine to maximize its flavor in the finished drink.

• Add mezcal, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice to shaker. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. This will further impart the fruit flavor and really chill the drink. The vigorous muddling and shaking will also likely cause tiny flecks of basil to appear in your drink. That's a good thing—go with it.

• Pour into a sizable coupe glass and add ice, or into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with nectarine slice and serve.

Attribution:

Recipe: Terry B, Wine and Drink

Origin: Blue Kitchen