Ladies Man (A Lost Drink)

In June of 2015 we visited Smugglers Cove for the first time. This place is a cocktail must for the tiki drink lovers out there. If you arrive at opening and head to the bar you will likely have a short period you can chat with the bartenders before the places gets slammed with thirsty sailors. In conversation with two mixologists we centered on the use of rose and orange waters as flavoring and aroma enhancers. The key is to use them sparingly so they don’t take over the drink. After returning to the Zen Tiki Lounge we played with a few recipes before the Ladies Man was born. This recipe was never posted…till now. Hope you enjoy.

3 oz. Citrus Mix (equal parts lime, orange, lemon and grapefruit)

1 oz. Zaya Rum or another vanilla forward dark rum

1 oz. Kaniche or Plantation dark rum

.75 oz. Brown Sugar syrup (1 cup water, 1 cup dark brown sugar)

5 drops Orange Blossom water

3 drops Rose water

Combine everything in a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into tiki mug filled with crushed ice and garnish with citrus. Too sweet or too sour for your taste? Add either more sugar syrup or more citrus. Because citrus can vary widely in acid content a drink like this often requires “balancing” after you shake it up. Do a straw test before pouring into your mug.

This drink requires fresh juice. If you can’t find fresh citrus in your part of the country this time of year, wait till it’s available.