Mike's Mix: Lurcat Royal

Every Friday, Mike Augustyniak picks up a new cocktail recipe from a local mixologist. Throughout April, Mike's picking up some elegant recipes from the Loring neighborhood's esteemed Café & Bar Lurcat. This week's selection is a uses a trio of fruit flavors that are then tamed by a splash of Campari.

Ingredients
1 1/2 oz Opulent vodka
1/2 oz orange juice
1/2 oz passion fruit puree
1/2 oz house mix (see below)
splash of Campari

Lurcat's 'House Mix' (yields 1 quart)
6 oz. lime juice
4 oz. lemon juice
8 oz. simple syrup
14 oz. water

Directions
Mix all ingredients into a shaker and shake. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with an orange slice.

Taste Test
Campari is the bitter and slightly herbal liqueur from Italy that is well known as the basis for a Negroni. This drink pairs its distinct flavor with three fruit juices, including passion fruit puree (available at various liquor stores and higher-end grocers). While the juices are added sparingly and meld together smoothly, the Campari gives this drink a complex flavor. There's no "right" amount of Campari, and I found that I preferred a little more than the recipe calls for ... but add however much makes you happy!

About Coup d'Etat
Café & Bar Lurcat has been called one of the best summer patios in the cities as well as the best wine bar by City Pages. It also earned wine honors from Food and Wine as well as Wine Enthusiast.

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