The Loser

In my last post, I shared a Todd Thrasher recipe and I’m back with another! This cocktail was entered into a competition back in 2006 and because it didn’t win, Thrasher called it “The Loser” and featured it on his bar menu. I found the recipe on Food & Wine. It’s not a loser at all! It’s wonderfully tropical tasting and I’d recommend it for upcoming Labor Day cocktailing. The Loser is made with Pisco, a brandy made in South America, and Velvet Falernum, which is a clove spiced liqueur. You make a black pepper simple syrup which is so delicious! Combined with pineapple juice and fresh squeezed lemon juice, this drink should please anyone. I did modify the recipe slightly because I wanted to taste the black pepper simple syrup and felt that the pineapple flavor dominated. Either way you make it, it’s tasty. I love how the pineapple juice foams in the shaker and with a garnish of fresh ground pepper, this drink is a winner! Enjoy!

The Loser

Ingredients:

1 oz Pisco

1/2 oz Velvet Falernum

2 oz pineapple juice

1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 oz black pepper simple syrup (recipe below)

1 oz club soda

pinch of fresh cracked pepper as garnish

Method:

Combine all ingredients besides club soda and pepper in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled and strain into ice filled rocks glass. Stir in the soda and garnish with a pinch of fresh cracked pepper.

Recipe adapted slightly from Todd Thrasher.

Black Pepper Simple Syrup

1/4 cup fresh cracked peppercorns, coarsely ground

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

Method:

Combine sugar and water over medium heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add pepper. Let steep for 30 minutes and then strain.