Root Awakening Recipe

Make syrup

Combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 8 lightly crushed green cardamom pods in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 2 minutes to infuse, then remove from heat and steep 15 minutes. Strain out pods and seeds, cool. Measure out 0.5 oz for the cocktail and reserve the rest refrigerated for future use.

Extract juices

If using fresh produce: grate ginger and press through a fine mesh or cheesecloth to yield about 0.5 oz ginger juice. Juice carrots with a juicer to yield 1 oz fresh carrot juice. Halve passion fruit and scoop out pulp; if you want a smoother texture, briefly press pulp through a fine mesh to remove most seeds, reserving about 1 tablespoon of pulp.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

Add 1 oz mezcal, 0.5 oz blanco tequila, 0.5 oz passion fruit liqueur (or 0.5 oz passion fruit puree + 0.25 oz simple if not using liqueur), 1 oz carrot juice, 0.5 oz ginger juice, 1 tbsp passion fruit pulp, 0.75 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz cardamom simple syrup and 0.25 oz agave syrup (optional if you prefer sweeter).

Dry shake (shake without ice) vigorously 8–10 seconds to emulsify the pulp and juice, then add ice and shake hard for 12–15 seconds to chill and dilute.

Double strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass over fresh ice (use a fine mesh strainer to catch pulp and ginger fibers).

If desired, rim the glass lightly with a mix of ground cardamom and a pinch of sugar before pouring.

Garnish with a lime wheel and a thin carrot ribbon or edible flower. Lightly dust with a pinch (about 1/8–1/4 tsp) of ground cardamom over the top for aroma.

Serve immediately.