Profile
Pink Paradise is a tequila take on the old Pink Gin. The method is the same: coat the inside of the glass with bitters, tip out the excess, and pour in a chilled spirit. The little bit of bitters that clings to the glass is enough to tint the drink a faint blush and change how it smells, which is where the name comes from.
Swapping gin for tequila makes more sense than it might seem. The clove and cinnamon notes in aromatic bitters sit well with agave, and stirring over ice means the tequila arrives cold and slightly softened rather than as a harsh neat pour. The brandy snifter is the right glass, since the wide bowl gathers the aroma of the bitters and the agave together. What you end up with is a sipping tequila with a little seasoning, which is a very nice way to drink a good bottle.
Glass: Brandy snifter | Strength: Strong | Serves: 1 | Prep Time: 3 minutes
Bartenders tip: This drink has nowhere to hide, so use a tequila you would happily sip on its own. A reposado works especially well because its light oak meets the spice of the bitters halfway, though a good blanco keeps it brighter. Stir for about 20 seconds so it chills without going watery, and really do discard the excess bitters after swirling, since three dashes left sitting in the glass turn a seasoned drink into a bitter one. The original just says bitters, and Angostura is the one to reach for.
Steps
- Pour the tequila into a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, and stir.
- Pour the bitters into a brandy snifter and swirl around in order to coat the glass.
- Discard any excess bitters from the glass, then strain the tequila into the glass, and serve.
