Santa Maria

The Santa Maria cocktail is pure alcohol – spiced rum, gold tequila and sweet vermouth. No mixers were harmed in the making of this cocktail.

This drink balances an interesting combination of flavors – the spice from the rum and the sweetness from the dash of vermouth. The tequila adds more body than flavor, mellowing out the whole concoction. This is a complex, fascinating drink you can linger over for a while.

Recipe

• 1 ounce spiced rum
• 1 ounce gold tequila
• 1 dash sweet vermouth

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in all the ingredients and shake gently. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange wheel.