Sweet Little Lies Recipe
Smith & Cross Jamaican rum / Amaro Averna sweet potato / brown sugar simple syrup Amargo Chuncho bitters / saline
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Ingredients
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Cocktail
Sweet potato brown sugar syrup (makes ~6 oz)
Method
Sweet potato brown sugar syrup (prepare ahead, 20–25 minutes)
Roast and purée sweet potato
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce a medium sweet potato and roast directly on a sheet or in a tray for 40–50 minutes until very tender. Let cool slightly, scoop flesh and blend or mash until very smooth. You need about 1/2 cup purée.
Make syrup
In a small saucepan combine 0.75 cup brown sugar and 0.75 cup water over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a gentle simmer.
Incorporate purée
Whisk in 0.5 cup roasted sweet potato purée to the simmering sugar syrup. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and well combined. Do not boil aggressively.
Strain and finish
Remove from heat and pass the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean jar to remove fibrous bits. If desired, stir in 1 tbsp neutral spirit or a tablespoon of dark rum for preservation and flavor. Cool to room temperature, refrigerate. Syrup yields ~6 oz and keeps 7–10 days refrigerated.
Cocktail assembly (serves 1, 5–7 minutes)
Add ingredients to shaker: Into a cocktail shaker add 2 oz Smith & Cross Jamaican rum, 0.75 oz Amaro Averna, 0.75 oz sweet potato brown sugar syrup (from above), 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, 3 dashes Amargo Chuncho bitters, and 0.25 tsp saline solution (or 0.25 tsp of 1:4 saline measured as liquid).
Dry shake
Dry shake (no ice) vigorously for 10–12 seconds. The dry shake helps integrate the sweet potato syrup and aerate the mixture for a smoother texture.
Wet shake
Add a large handful of ice to the shaker and shake hard for 12–15 seconds until well chilled and slightly frothy.
Double strain and serve: Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass to remove ice shards and any sweet potato solids.
Garnish
Garnish with a single dehydrated sweet potato chip rested on the rim or an expressed orange twist over the surface, dropping the twist into the drink if desired.
Taste and adjust: If the drink tastes too sweet, add a tiny splash (1/8 tsp) additional fresh lime; if it feels thin, add 1/4 oz more syrup on next pour. The saline should lift flavors subtly—adjust future pours to preference.