Griffin’s Tail
The legendary Jon White put me on to the Lion’s Tail, which has quickly become one of my favorite winter cocktails. I decided to try some variations with mezcal and other seasonal flavors and thus was born the Griffin’s Tail—a drink that fuses together smokiness, holiday spices, and refreshing lime into a glorious winged chimera of a beverage. ❡ If you’re looking for the traditional Lion’s Tail, this is the recipe that got me started.
Ingredients
- 2.5 oz Mezcal Reposado
- 0.5 oz St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
- 0.25 oz cinnamon syrup
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- A handful of ice
- Orange peel twist for garnish
- 2 oz measuring cup
- Cocktail shaker and strainer
Directions
Add ingredients to the cocktail shaker over ice.
Tip: use the lime juice to rinse the syrup.
Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.
Strain into a coupe glass, a Nick and Nora glass, your ZxD Halloween Goblet, or a Dream Team II commemorative cup from McDonald's—whatever floats your boat.
Top with orange peel twist garnish.
If you want to make cinnamon syrup from scratch give yourself a couple extra hours to let it steep. Don's spice #4 is a great recipe.
If you’re not into that, Falernum syrup is a great substitute.