New Cocktails: Bobcat Special

Looking to try out my new cardamom bitters, I decided to reach for the earthy flavors of tequila and ginger to complement the spice notes in this Negroni/Boulevardier variation.

Bobcat Special
1.5 oz añejo tequila
0.5 oz sweet vermouth
0.25 oz Luxardo Bitter
0.25 oz ginger liqueur
1 dash Scrappy's cardamom bitters
1 dash orange bitters

The nose is dominated by the cardamom bitters, with only a hint of the Luxardo's vanilla peeking through. The sip begins sweetly with an undertone of cardamom, which grows towards the back where it is joined by a complex interplay of orange, bitterness, and vanilla. Throughout the tequila plays a supporting role, giving some barrel and agave flavors.

This drink worked out nicely, though I would go easier on the cardamom bitters next time. A few drops should be enough to provide an accent rather than having the bitters dominate the drink. The Luxardo and sweet vermouth were also surprisingly pushed to the background, though they did become more present near the end of the sip. A tasty drink, but you do have to be careful about properly balancing the ingredients.