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Made with Garrison Brothers Texas Bourbon
Rojo Fresco
This garden-inspired cocktail blends sweet strawberry, savory tomato, fresh basil, and balsamic tang with the rich character of Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon. Bright, herbaceous, and refreshing, it’s a vibrant sip with layers of summer flavor.
Time
10 min
Method
Shaken
Glass
Coupe
Bourbon
Small Batch
Flavor: Strawberry · Tomato · Basil
Season: Summer
Make the Rojo Fresco
Ingredients
Makes 1 cocktail
1½ ozGarrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon 1½ ozCherry tomato balsamic shrub (below) ½ ozStrawberry syrup (below) 2 dashesNon-alcoholic aperitif 3Fresh basil leaves 3 dashesSummer berry bitters GarnishA cherry tomato, strawberry and basil skewer Shrub1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup Modena balsamic vinegar Syrup1 cup strawberries, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water
Instructions
1Make the shrub: toss the tomatoes with the sugar, cover and macerate for 4 to 8 hours. Add the balsamic, blend until smooth and strain. Refrigerate for up to 6 months. 2Make the syrup: toss the strawberries with the sugar and macerate for 4 to 8 hours. Add the water, blend until smooth and double strain. Refrigerate for up to 3 months. 3Add the bourbon, shrub, syrup, aperitif and basil to a shaker with ice and shake hard. 4Strain into a chilled coupe and finish with the bitters. 5Garnish with a skewer of cherry tomato, strawberry and basil.
About the Rojo Fresco
The Rojo Fresco is a garden in a coupe. Garrison Brothers Small Batch is shaken with a house-made cherry tomato balsamic shrub, fresh strawberry syrup and basil, then finished with summer berry bitters. Sweet, savory and tangy at once, like a caprese salad that took up bourbon.
Questions, answered
What is a shrub?
A drinking vinegar: fruit, sugar and vinegar turned into a sweet-tart syrup. Cherry tomatoes and balsamic make this one savory and jammy.
Can I make the shrub and syrup ahead?
Yes, and you should. Both need 4 to 8 hours to macerate. The shrub keeps up to 6 months in the fridge and the strawberry syrup up to 3 months.
Does a tomato cocktail taste like a Bloody Mary?
No. Ripe cherry tomatoes and strawberries are both sweet, so the Rojo Fresco tastes more like fresh fruit with a balsamic tang than anything savory or spicy.
