TTO + T

Orlando Franklin McCray | Brooklyn, New York

TTO + T ReserveBar

“This is essentially a rum and tonic, without the tonic water,” says Orlando McCray. “Two liqueurs provide the gentian, while the soda brings bubbles, with dark rum to balance.” He encourages you to play around with the acidity level of this “mock tonic” by subtracting ingredients—like the Suze, or the lime juice—to fine-tune what you like best.

For McCray, the highball is a favorite vehicle for showcasing a spirit: Bubbles are the most effective way to open up flavors. But, he advises: “Make sure all ingredients are incorporated with a gentle stir. [Just] ‘topping’ with bubbles is a misleading technique and not effective in creating balanced drinks.”

Ingredients

Yield: 1

  • 1 ounce Ten To One Caribbean Dark Rum
  • 1 ounce Ten To One Caribbean Dark Rum
  • 3/4 ounce Suze
  • 3/4 ounce Suze
  • 3/4 ounce Bonal Gentiane-Quina
  • 3/4 ounce Bonal Gentiane-Quina
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 ounce Drambuie
  • 1/4 ounce Drambuie
  • soda water
  • soda water

Garnish: dehydrated lime wheel

Directions
  1. Combine all ingredients except the soda water in a mixing tin with ice, and shake for approximately 10 seconds.
  2. Strain into a 10-ounce Collins glass filled with ice.
  3. Top with soda water and gently stir with a barspoon to incorporate ingredients.
  4. Garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel.