Be My Clementine Recipe

Make hot honey syrup

Combine 1 tablespoon hot honey with 1 tablespoon hot water in a small cup and stir until smooth and pourable. Taste and adjust: if too spicy or sweet, stir in up to 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice to balance. Set aside to cool slightly.

Optional rim

If you want a rim, rub the outer edge of a chilled coupe or rocks glass with a cut clementine wheel, then dip the rim lightly into coarse or chili salt.

Juice clementine

Roll 1–2 clementines firmly on the counter to loosen juices and cut in half. Juice until you have 1 ounce fresh clementine juice (about 1 medium clementine). Strain through a fine mesh if pulp-free juice is desired.

Combine ingredients

In a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz vodka, 1 oz fresh clementine juice, 0.5 oz orange liqueur, 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz hot honey syrup, 2 dashes bitters and (if desired) 0.25 oz simple syrup for extra sweetness. Add a cup of ice.

Shake

Shake vigorously for 12–18 seconds until the shaker is well chilled and slightly frosted on the outside (this aerates the citrus and integrates the hot honey).

Strain & Serve

Double-strain the cocktail into the prepared chilled coupe or rocks glass (use a fine mesh strainer to catch any pulp and ice shards).

Garnish

Express a clementine peel over the drink to release oils, then rim the glass with the peel and drop the wheel or twist onto the drink. If desired, drizzle a thin thread (about 1/4 teaspoon) of reserved hot honey syrup over the top for aroma.

Final notes

Taste and adjust: if the drink is too spicy or sweet, a quick squeeze of lemon or a splash more vodka can rebalance. Serve immediately.