Wasteland

The Wasteland is a smoky, citrusy Mezcal-based cocktail inspired by the harsh, exhaust-filled desert, featuring bold flavors of blood orange and Maraschino liqueur, served in a rocks glass with a spicy, sandy rim of rock sugar, salt, and cayenne. (Recipe Below)

As the rebel group looks for “The Green Place”, they are chased by Immortan Joe’s War Boys further and further into The Wasteland, our next cocktail inspiration. A riff on the popular cocktail Blood and Sand, The Wasteland blends together Mezcal, Sweet Vermouth, Blood Orange Juice, and Maraschino Liqueur giving this cocktail an acidic and citrus, biting flavor with a lot of smokiness much like the arid, dry land seasoned with the exhaust of the War Rigs that drive over it. Served in a rocks glass with a rim of rock sugar, course salt and cayenne pepper to add a sandy texture and overall alarming spice to really bring The Wasteland experience to this cocktail.

0.75 oz (45mL) Mezcal

0.75 oz (45mL) Sweet Vermouth

0.75 oz (45mL) Luxardo

0.75 oz (45mL) Blood Orange Juice

3 dashes

Blood orange bitters

Orange peel for garnish.

Prepare a rocks glass with a side of the sugar, salt and cayenne. In a mixing glass, combine .75 oz Mezcal, .75 oz Sweet Vermouth, .75 oz Maraschino Liqueur, .75 oz Blood Orange Juice, and 3 dashes of Orange Bitters, add ice and stir for 2 minutes. Strain into rocks glass, express orange peel and lay on ice to garnish.

Del Maguey Vida Mezcal

84 proof/42% ABV
Pernod Ricard Group
Made from a blend of Espadin Agaves which are roasted in underground ovens, fermented and twice distilled. It has an earthy smoky flavor that lingers with herbal and spice notes at the front of the palate and a slight bite at the end.
Martini Rosso Sweet Vermouth

36 proof/18% ABV
Martini & Rossi
Naturally burgundy in color. This fortified wine that has been redistilled with additional herbs and spices resulting is a fresh, strong flavored wine with notes of bittersweet orange and fresh herbs. The sweetness provides a richness in flavor and slight caramel in flavor.
Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

64 proof/32% ABV
Girolamo Luxardo SpA
A liqueur that starts with fermenting Luxardo cherries and cherry tree branches in large ashwood vats. After three years, it is distilled then simple syrup and water are added to balance ot to 32% ABV. The overall flavor is that of cherry and straw with a cacao and bitter orange finish.
Blood Orange Juice

Our preference is fresh pressed, but pure blood orange juice is widely available in the market. Blood orange juice is sweeter and less acidic than standard orange juice and has a light floral taste with berry undertones. Cara Cara oranges can be used as a substitute.
Angostura Orange Bitters

89.4 proof/ 44.7 ABV
Angostura Limited
Bitters are made by concentrating flavors into an alcohol base. Orange bitters vary by brand, but are generally made with bitter orange peel, cardamom, caraway, coriander, anise and toasted sugar.