Mexicali Maverick

I’ve got a stellar surfside sipper here to toast a majestic whale of a box while sitting in the sand. The cocktail is a classic highball, traditionally a spirit like whiskey topped off with soda water. Highballs are immensely popular in Japan, where the whiskey is delicious. This version takes notes from a rum based classic cocktail called the Dark and Stormy, a drink with rum, lime and ginger beer which I featured long ago with another apropos Karakuri puzzle.

California dreamin'

We’ll stick to whiskey for the whales, and not just any whiskey. Cali Distillery, based in Los Angeles California, has been creating unique expressions of the brown spirit for the past few years. What started as a home kitchen project by a school teacher making unusual fruit and spice liqueurs for her friends evolved into a full-fledged award winning whiskey distillery. At the heart of each of their creations is California – their flagship whiskey, “Cali – a California Twist on American Sipping Whiskey” – is a truly unique spirit that captures the essence of California in a magical way.

Their newest product is called “Mavericks Doublewood”. It’s an homage to the largest surf break on the Cali coast, and to the free spirited surfers who ride those waves. The name Maverick actually brings this whiskey home to Texas, where I live. Samuel Maverick was a Texas rancher who refused to brand his cattle herd, and the term became synonymous with the free spirited non-conformist in the crowd. Cali Mavericks is aged first in charred new American Oak barrels, followed by time spent in toasted French Oak. The result is, from Cali’s own description: “Rich with coffee, caramel and cocoa aromas, this is what Whiskey tastes like on the coast.”

Hang ten with this highball

The drink also captures a Baja surfer sensibility with use of aguapanela, a common drink found in Mexico and South America but less well known stateside. It is made from panela (or piloncillo in Mexico), a dried brick of evaporated cane sugar juice and usually served with fresh lime. Topped off with ginger beer and a dash of hibiscus bitters, this is one tasty way to enjoy some coastal California whiskey. Here’s to the sun, the sand and the surf. Cheers!

Having a whale of a time

Mexicali Mavericks

2 oz Mavericks Doublewood Whiskey

1 oz aguapanela

½ oz lime

Dash of hibiscus bitters

4 oz ginger beer

Build ingredients in an ice filled glass and stir. Citrus peel surfboard or a lime twist.