Proper Bar Recipe
At the heart of Proper Eats Food Hall sits an eye-appealing oval bar that caters to the mouthwatering cuisine surrounding it. With multiple seating options and an array of high-definition TVs perfect for sports viewing, the bar is the hub to the contemporary food forum.
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Ingredients
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Bar Base (House Infused Vodka)
Signature Cocktail: Proper Citrus Smash (single serving)
Bar Tools & Extras
Method
Bar Base (House Infused Vodka)
Prepare citrus zest: using a vegetable peeler or microplane, remove zest from lemons and oranges avoiding white pith. Place zest in a clean 2–3 liter glass jar.
Add aromatics: add torn basil leaves and whole black peppercorns to the jar with the zest.
Pour vodka: pour the 1.5 liters of vodka over the citrus and aromatics, making sure all solids are submerged. Seal jar tightly.
Infuse: let the mixture steep at room temperature for 48–72 hours, tasting at 24-hour intervals. The vodka should pick up bright citrus and a hint of basil. For a stronger pepper note, infuse up to 96 hours.
Strain and store: when flavor is to your liking, strain vodka through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a clean bottle. Discard solids. Store chilled or at room temperature; keeps for several months.
Signature Cocktail: Proper Citrus Smash (single serving)
Muddle
In the cocktail shaker, place 4 torn basil leaves and the simple syrup. Gently muddle (press and twist) to release basil aromatics without pulverizing the leaves.
Add citrus and spirit
Add 2 oz house infused vodka, 1.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice, and 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice to the shaker.
Shake
Add a handful of ice (about 1 cup) to the shaker. Close and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until the exterior frosts.
Double strain
Fill a highball or rocks glass with fresh ice. Using the shaker's strainer plus a fine mesh strainer, double strain the cocktail into the glass to remove basil fragments and small ice shards.
Top and garnish
Top the cocktail with 1 oz chilled club soda to add brightness and effervescence. Express a grapefruit twist over the drink to release oils, run it around the rim, and drop it in as garnish.
Serve: present with a short stirring straw. Recommend serving chilled alongside Proper Eats dishes; adjust sweetness with extra simple syrup to taste.
Bar Tools & Extras
Sanitation: ensure all tools, glassware, and bottles are clean and sanitized before use to keep flavors bright and prevent contamination.
Batching note: scale the Proper Citrus Smash up by keeping the ratio (vodka 2 : grapefruit juice 1.5 : lemon juice 0.5 : simple syrup 0.5) and finish each pour with 0.5 oz club soda per serving just before serving.