A prior pairing took us on location to Houston's Spare Key bar (see here).  To pair a potion with this beautiful book, I headed to another one of Houston’s "storied" cocktail bars.  “Julep” has received national praise over the past year or so since it opened, being hailed as one of the country’s best new bars, along with it’s owner, Alba Huerta, who has been receiving her own accolades.  The bar focuses on southern hospitality, as its namesake drink evokes scenes of country breezes, porch swings, and festive parties.  

Something puzzling is going on at Julep ...

At Julep I found a delicious libation to pair up with the Book puzzle box, called “The Ruse”.  The drink combines bourbon, amaro, Palo Cortado sherry, cane syrup, orgeat, lemon and orange bitters.  There is a citrusy tart and sweet richness to this cocktail that works so well.  Palo Cortado sherry is a mysterious ingredient, which starts life developing as a dry “fino” type sherry, but somehow ages and matures more like a sweeter “oloroso” type sherry, and thus retains qualities of both.  Perhaps this is the “ruse” referred to by the cocktail’s name? The name actually references a Civil War battle in which a General held off the Union Navy on a beach in Galveston with a single cannon, plus a bunch of logs that were painted black! The drink certainly pairs well with a puzzle box, too.  Huerta says that every great cocktail tells a story.  Cheers to the stories you come up with along your puzzling paths.

It's all a "Ruse" ... 

The Ruse by Alba Huerta

1 oz Palo Cortado

3/4 oz bourbon

3/4 oz Averna

3/4 lemon

1/2 oz orgeat

1/2 oz rich simple syrup (2:1)

1 dash Regan’s orange bitters

Build the ingredients in a tall glass with crushed ice and stir. Orange wheel and mint garnish.