Erika Flowers’ musical background serves her well behind the bar at Compere Lapin. After graduating from Loyola University, she taught music while mixing drinks at home for fun. After the pandemic, she completed the Turning Tables bar training program and cemented her path as a bartender. “I went from one stage to another…from writing and singing songs to express stories…to telling stories through a glass,” Erika said. Her time on stage helps her connect to guests. “Some people have stage fright …but lucky for me that wasn’t a thing, and I think it carried over to the work I do here.” Her Sur-prise Me often amazes guests who insist they don’t like mezcal because it is “too smoky,” and end up loving the drink. “I have a knack of introducing people to something new and helping them enjoy it,” she said. Like any good artist, her creations are a delightful surprise.
Sur-prise Me
1 1/4 ounces El Buho Espadin Mezcal
3/4 ounce Paranubes Rum
1/4 ounce Braulio Amaro
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
3/4 ounce lemon juice
3/4 ounce cinnamon syrup (see recipe)
2 ounces Q grapefruit soda
Garnishes: Bouquet of mint and dehydrated lemon slice
Shake all ingredients except the soda and strain into a Collins glass. Top with the grapefruit soda, add cubed ice, and stir gently to mix. Garnish with mint and a dehydrated lemon slice.
Cinnamon syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
3 cinnamon sticks.
Add sticks to water over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, and let the sticks steep for 2 minutes (you are making cinnamon tea). While the water is still hot, stir in sugar until dissolved. Cool and strain out the sticks. Transfer to a well-sealed container, ideally glass. Syrup keeps in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks. If you use a clean spoon each time you dip into the jar and keep the jar well sealed, the syrup keeps longer.
NOTES:
- Other ways to use the Braulio include swapping amaro for some of the simple syrup in a Daiquiri or replacing Amaro Nonino in a Paper Plane with Braulio. You can also mix it with ginger beer or grapefruit soda.
- Q is the grapefruit soda best suited for this recipe. Erika finds others too sweet.
- Use the cinnamon syrup throughout your day! Mix it in your morning coffee or tea; drizzle it on toast or pancakes; mix it into your baking; replace some or all simple syrup in classic cocktails like a Daiquiri or Old Fashioned.
Listen to Elizabeth’s podcast “Drink & Learn;” visit elizabeth-pearce.com
