A Cocktail That Proves Whiskey and Tequila Get Along Just Fine

Rustic-industrial darling The Hairy Lobster is fresh on the Portland, Oregon scene with a seasonal New American share plate menu by husband and wife team David and Mellisa Root. While David previously ran the kitchen at Todd English's bluezoo in Orlando, Florida, Mellisa and bar manager James Kendall come from the Keller camp—Mellisa was on the pastry team at Per Se in New York, while James headed up the cocktail programs at Ad Hoc and Bouchon in Napa, California. Below, James offers up one easy example from The Hairy Lobster's spirit-forward menu.

Man of Leisure
Makes 1

1 ½ ounces whiskey
1 ounce silver tequila
½ ounce lime juice
¼ ounce simple syrup
top with about 1 ½ ounces ginger beer
3 dashes Angostura bitters
lime wedge, for garnish

Combine whiskey, tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a snifter with ice. Top with ginger beer, Angostura bitters, and garnish with a lime wedge.