The PDT Project: #8

 

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
- Lao-tzu

And thus begins the first step. The PDT Project officially kicks off with the #8 cocktail, a boozy tequila-based delight. Created in the fall of 2008 by former PDT bartender Daniel Eun (who's now busy studying law in California), the #8 is a boozy blend of reposado tequila, sherry, honey liqueur, and orange bitters. The drink's name has a dual significance: it's the number of months that Don Julio Reposado is aged as well as the jersey number of Kobe Bryant, Mr. Eun's favorite basketball player.

#8
2 oz Don Julio Reposado Tequila
.75 oz Lustau Palo Cortado Sherry
.5 oz Barenjager Honey Liqueur
2 dashes House Orange Bitters (equal parts Regan’s and Fee Brother’s Orange Bitters)
Lemon twist (garnish)

Tools: barspoon, mixing glass, strainer
Glassware: chilled coupe

Method: Stir with ice and strain into a chilled coupe. Squeeze oil from the lemon twist into the drink then place in drink as garnish.

Upon my first sip this drink became one of my favorite stirred tequila cocktails. The nuttiness of the Palo Cortado marries so well with the slight woodiness of the reposado tequila. Barenjager, and honey in general, can easily dominate a drink's flavor profile but in this drink there’s just enough to provide balancing sweetness. The lemon twist brightens the nose of the drink and entices the palate.

*This post is part of a series in which Payman takes on the task of making and writing about every cocktail featured in the PDT Cocktail Book, as well as providing an awesome photo of each drink taken by Vanessa Bahmani Photography. 

**Got a question? He can be found on twitter @paystyle, you can email him at payman@pdtproject.com, or simply drop him a comment below.