Curiocity: Mike's Mix — Rye Hot Toddy

Every Friday, Mike Augustyniak will be picking up a new cocktail recipe from a local mixologist. Throughout December, he's getting his inspirations from The Strip Club near downtown St. Paul. This week's selection will warm you up during the coldest months of the year.

Ingredients
1 Tbsp. Verdant "Laotian Apothecary Green" Tea
1 cup hot water
1½ oz. Rye Whiskey
½ oz. Grand Marnier
½ oz. Benedictine
1 Tbsp. Honey Syrup (1 part honey dissolved in 1 part hot water)
Easy & Oskey Cherry Vanilla Bitters
Meyer Lemon

Directions
Steep 1 tbsp Verdant Tea Laotian Green Tea in 1 cup hot water for 1 minute. Strain into Irish Coffee mug. Add 1 lemon wheel to steep for flavor. Add booze and honey syrup. Top with ¼ tsp. Easy & Oskey Cherry Vanilla Bitters. Garnish with lemon wheel.

Taste Test
While a traditional toddy is made with just hot water, the addition of green tea is a twist that bartender Dan Oskey picked just for us. No matter how you cut the booze in this drink ... it's strong. The vapors will hit you first, wafting up from the hot-but-not-boiling tea, and the flavor from this drink is intense. The rye whiskey and honey syrup lends just the right amount of sweetness, and the green tea just the right amount of brightness, to balance the drink. Beware, though: while it's a snap to make, this one isn't for beginners to taste!

About The Strip Club
The Strip Club is located east of downtown St. Paul. "A restaurant and bar from the creators of the Town Talk Diner. We are a casual fine dining restaurant that caters to the hungry," their website promises.

To find more recipes from Mike's Mix, click here.