The Story Behind The Abandoned Highway
While mezcal may not be the first spirit you think of around the holidays, its distinctive smoky notes are here to prove you wrong. The spirit shines in the Abandoned Highway, created by Simone Mele of Kansas City’s Swordfish Tom’s, where it is accompanied by two types of amaro and an orange, cinnamon, and clove tonic syrup. It all comes together with hot apple cider in a harmonious combination of dark fruit flavors, fall baking spices, and mulled apples all seamlessly connected on a string of smoke.
The Orange Cinnamon Clove Tonic Syrup included is a take on Mele's syrup, as his recipe is top secret.
This recipe is part of our 2023 Holiday Cocktail Countdown. Click here to see all of the festive recipes as they publish throughout December.
*Orange Cinnamon Clove Tonic Syrup Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 4 ounces orange juice
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cinchona bark powder
- 1 tablespoon clove powder
- Citric acid
- Sugar
*Orange Cinnamon Clove Tonic Syrup Directions
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, orange juice, cinnamon, cinchona bark, and clove powder and heat over medium-low.
- Heat until simmering, reduce heat, and cover for 25 minutes.
- Remove from heat and strain into a bowl through a fine mesh strainer lined with a cheesecloth.
- Allow to cool for 30 minutes.
- Carefully pour the liquid into a storage container, straining away any sediment that has settled at the bottom of the mixture.
- For each cup of tonic water, add ¾ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon citric acid.
- Seal and store in the refrigerator.
Related Reads & Recipes
Learn About Mezcal
More Mezcal Recipes To Explore
The Down in Flames Recipe:
From Normandie restaurant in Portland, Ore. comes this boozy rye and mezcal cocktail akin to a smoky Old Fashioned. Learn how to make it with this recipe!
The Single Village Fix:
In the Single Village Fix, smoky, vegetal mezcal mingles with bright, punch pineapple gum syrup and lime juice for a refreshing cocktail.
The Berry-Mezcal Colada Recipe:
Instantly transport yourself to tropical temperatures with this decadent cocktail, made with mezcal, coconut, and fresh citrus.
The Maximilian Affair:
The Maximilian Affair features a split base of mezcal and St-Germain Elderflower liqueur while lemon adds brightness and acidity.
The Cadillac Swizz Recipe:
From Bibo Ergo Sum in Los Angeles comes this vibrantly colored cocktail featuring gin, mezcal, and fresh carrot and lime juices. Learn how to make it with this recipe.
The Mezcal Negroni Recipe:
Using the composition of a certain trendy Italian cocktail, the Mezcal Negroni proves how adaptable earthy agave truly can be.
