South-of-the-Border Tom Collins

Name: South-of-the-Border Tom Collins
Prep time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: SouthWest,
Ingredients: 1 cup sugar; 1 cup water; 8 dried chilies de arbol stemmed and seeded; 1 tsp McCormick Gourmet™ Chile Pepper, Ancho; 2 limes each cut into 4 wedges, divided; 8 sprigs fresh mint divided; 4 sprigs fresh cilantro divided; Cracked or crushed ice; 1 cup gin divided; 2 cups club soda divided

A refreshing twist on the classic Tom Collins, this cocktail features a simple syrup infused with chilies de arbol and ancho chile for a surprising kick. Fresh mint, cilantro and lime wedges balance the heat with a bright herb flavor.

20m

PREP TIME

10

INGREDIENTS

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Ancho-Arbol Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
8 dried chilies de arbol, stemmed and seeded
1 teaspoon McCormick Gourmet™ Ancho Chile Pepper
Tom Collins
2 limes, each cut into 4 wedges, divided
8 sprigs fresh mint, divided
4 sprigs fresh cilantro, divided
Cracked or crushed ice
1 cup gin, divided
2 cups club soda, divided

KEY PRODUCTS

INSTRUCTIONS

1 For the Ancho-Arbol Syrup, mix all ingredients in small saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Let stand 2 hours. Strain through double layer of cheesecloth or coffee filters. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. (This makes enough syrup for 4 cocktails)
2 For each cocktail, place 2 lime wedges, 2 sprigs mint and 1 sprig cilantro in cocktail shaker. Muddle the lime with a muddler or wooden spoon to release the lime juice. Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add 1/4 cup each gin and Ancho-Arbol Syrup; mix well. Shake until well mixed and chilled. Strain into tall ice-filled beverage glass. Top each glass with 1/2 cup club soda. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 4 cocktails.

TIPS AND TRICKS

Garnish with thin lime slices and maraschino cherries.

For a non-alcoholic version, prepare as directed, omitting gin. Increase limes to 4, using 1 lime, cut into wedges, for each cocktail. Use short beverages and lemon-lime or cucumber soda in place of the club soda.