Tempo Bottled Recipe

1. Make honey syrup

Combine equal parts honey and hot water (1:1) — for this recipe heat roughly 0.5 oz honey with 0.5 oz hot water and stir until fully combined and cooled to room temperature.

2. Chill bottle and equipment

Clean and chill your glass bottle and mixing vessel in the refrigerator or freezer so the finished bottled cocktail stays bright and clear.

3. Combine ingredients

In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, add 3 oz gin, 0.75 oz aperitif (Lillet Blanc or Cocchi), 0.5 oz sweet vermouth, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz cooled honey syrup, 0.25 oz orange liqueur, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.

4. Dry shake (optional for egg white)

If using egg white for texture and stability, add 1/2 egg white to the shaker and dry shake (no ice) vigorously for 15–20 seconds to emulsify.

5. Wet shake

Add ice to the shaker and shake hard for 10–15 seconds to chill and properly dilute the mixture. Aim for a total dilution of about 20–25% by volume when combined with the 2 oz cold water added later for bottling.

6. Strain

Double-strain the shaken cocktail through a fine mesh strainer (and cheesecloth if using egg white) into a clean mixing glass to remove ice shards and any solids.

7. Adjust dilution

To create a balanced bottled cocktail and account for lost dilution from chilling, add 2 oz cold filtered water to the strained cocktail. Stir gently for 10–15 seconds to integrate. This brings the drink to a ready-to-serve strength and helps with clarity.

8. Final straining (clarity)

If you used egg white or want additional clarity, pass the liquid through a very fine mesh or cheesecloth one more time into a clean container to remove any remaining solids or coagulated proteins. For maximum clarity, you can also cold-settle in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours and decant clear liquid into the bottle.

9. Bottle

Place a funnel into your chilled glass bottle. Carefully pour the clarified cocktail into the bottle, leaving a small headspace. Cap tightly.

10. Express lemon oil & finish

Hold a piece of lemon peel over the bottle opening and give it a quick twist to express oils onto the surface, then rub the peel around the bottle rim and drop the peel into the bottle for subtle bright aromatics.

11. Label and chill

Label the bottle with the name (Tempo Bottled), date bottled, and recommended serve method. Chill the bottled cocktail before serving. It will keep refrigerated for up to 7–10 days if made with no fresh egg white, or 48–72 hours if egg white was used (consume sooner for best quality).

12. Serve Tempo Bottled chilled. Pour 3–4 oz over fresh ice in a rocks glass or serve straight up in a coupe. Garnish with a fresh lemon twist or a thin orange slice. If a lighter effervescence is desired, top with a splash of chilled soda water at service.