The 1974 edition of the Old Mr. Boston Official Bartender’s Guide is responsible for introducing the Hot Pants cocktail—a perplexing combination of tequila, peppermint schnapps, grapefruit juice and powdered sugar, shaken and poured into a salt-rimmed glass. It sounds like it shouldn’t work—and it really doesn’t, at least as originally constituted. But something about the Hot Pants intrigued Tammy Bouma, inspiring her to update the oddball sour for modern tastes. Her version omits peppermint schnapps in favor of a fresh mint tea syrup.
1/2 ounce mint tea simple syrup (see Editor’s Note)
1/2 ounce mint tea simple syrup (see Editor’s Note)
5-6 mint leaves
5-6 mint leaves
Garnish: grapefruit twist
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin and shake with ice.
Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Garnish with grapefruit twist.
Editor's Note
Mint Tea Simple Syrup:
Boil water, then pour over mint leaves and stems. Allow to steep about 10 minutes. Strain out the leaves, then add an equal volume of sugar.
