If loving mezcal and passionfruit is a crime, take us to jail.
About the cocktail
If you’re a true-blue Melburnian or have swung by the Victorian capital once or twice in the past few years, you would have heard of, if not visited (at least a few times), the award-winning Caretaker’s Cottage. This place even skyrocketed from number 60 in The World’s 50 Best Bars last year to the 23rd spot in the just-announced coveted awards.
Nestled away in the CBD, it’s famous for Guinness on tap, outstanding cocktails (specifically the house Martini), the grooviest collection of vinyl and, perhaps the biggest sell of all, Matt Stirling, who co-owns and steers the helm of the good ship Caretaker’s. So, if you’re a die-hard fan of the Cottage or Mr Stirling, you’re in luck. Matt has kindly put together a cocktail for all you wonderful people playing at home – the Crimes of Passion. It’s serving tropical, honey and passionfruit and it's pretty darn tasty.
Now, we know what you’re saying. How could I possibly make a cocktail designed by one of the best bartenders in Melbourne? We hear you, but don’t stress, the Crimes of Passion is designed to be made at home. “I love how simple this cocktail is,” says Matt. “It uses few ingredients, all of which you’re excited about throwing into a mixing tin.” The Crimes of Passion sits neatly in the sour family, with its closest living relative being the Tommy’s Margarita (yum). Like a Tommy’s, it has that great biting lime-sourness to it, but with the addition of honey, mezcal and passionfruit. “It’s tropical, earthy and textural,” Matt explains. “Honey and passionfruit together lend a great sherbert-like, fragrant profile to the cocktail.” It’s the perfect cocktail for those looking to dip a few toes in the mezcal world. “I love introducing people to the spirit for the first time with these types of cocktails,” says Matt. “And of course, if you’ve got some passionfruits in season, that’s when the Crimes of Passion will be at its very best.” All that’s left is to chuck on some sick tunes – Matt recommends hittin’ some Teymori – and have a quick read of the master’s top tips below.
Watch: How to make the Crimes of Passion
Ingredients
50mL mezcal
25mL lime Pulp of one passionfruit 10mL honey syrup (DIY with 2 parts honey to 1 part boiling water) Pinch of cayenne pepper
Method
If you’re making your own honey syrup, simply add two parts honey to one part boiling water to a jug and stir until fully mixed – let it cool before using in your cocktail
When you’re ready to mix the cocktail, add mezcal, lime, passionfruit and honey syrup into a cocktail shaker Add plenty of ice and shake well Double strain into a coupe or Martini glass Garnish with a pinch of cayenne pepper for just the right amount of kick
Matt’s top tips
When it comes to hacks at home, Matt’s are like gold – treasure them. His first hot tip? Keep your glasses frozen. That means prior to making the Crimes of Passion, keep the glasses in the freezer so they’re lovely and cold when you pull them out. Similarly, we want the actual drink to be as cold as possible and properly diluted, which means you need to shake it hard with plenty of ice. As this drink calls for fresh lime, Matt suggests juicing your citrus when you need it and not a moment before so you get that great zing to the drink – “fresh is best” according to Matt. You also want to make sure that you double-strain the juice “to keep the pips out of your teeth,” says Matt. Lastly, if you’re looking for some food to eat with your Crimes of Passion cocktail, Matt reckons go for “bold and flavoursome food with plenty of spice and aroma”. That sounds like a big plate of carnitas to us.
