Where we begin:  Trick Dog’s Pantone 7621

On the very same trip to Trick Dog that I encountered their version of the Polar Bear that inspired my Portland Polar Bear,  drinking buddy, BoozeHunt 2013 partner, and all-around Wild and Crazy Guy Dan May had the Pantone 7621.

This drink is complicated.  It’s so complicated that I’m not even sure any of you will try to make it.  But let me assure you:  If you do make it, you will love it.

Complication #1: The Beet

The foundation of this drink is beet juice.  Yep, beets.  So, you’ll need to head for the market and find some nice, dark purple beets.  Bring em home, scrub those beets well, and run them through a juicer.  Strain the juice, pour it into a sealable container and place it in the fridge.

Complication #2: The Ginger Syrup

One of the lovely twinges of taste that complicates this beverage is the addition of Ginger Syrup.  Now, who has call for ginger syrup these days?  Not many.  HOWEVER, there’s this lovely stuff called Domaine de Canton.  It’s a ginger liqueur and it’s very tasty.

Complication #3: The Booze Ingredients

Not even kidding you here.  Dig it, here’s what Trick Dog says to use for booze:

• Four Roses Bourbon
• Combier Kummel
• Combier
  

With no stipulations, we can assume that the “Four Roses Bourbon” they use is “Yellow”… or the Four Roses that comes in a screwtop bottle and costs around $19.  However… the smoothest run in our experimentation is with Four Roses Small Batch.  If you want a real kick, use Four Roses Single Barrel.

Combier Kummel.  What the hell is it?  WELL, “Combier” is the name of the company that makes the stuff.  Kummel is a sweet, colorless liqueur flavored with caraway seed, cumin, and fennel.  The cumin really gets you.  Anyway, this stuff is nearly impossible to find!  Thankfully, the cats at Astor Wine & Spirits (on the other side of the United States) keep it in stock.  YAY, Internets!

Now… “Combier.”  It’s the name of the company, right?  Well, it’s also the name of their signature liqueur.  You see, way back in 1834, Jean-Baptiste Combier and his wife Josephine invented Triple Sec.  These days, we all (myself included) tend to think of Cointreau as The High-End Triple Sec.  But Combier deserves that title, and rightfully so: It’s really good stuff!  You can, however substitute Cointreau if it’s easier to find.  Dialing down to Triple Sec will take away some of the drink’s complexity. (My Combier was also sourced from Astor.  Those guys are good.)

This drink is sweet, complex and packs a punch!

*Note: This is a complex cocktail and should only be attempted by skilled libation specialists and cocktailians.  The BoozeGuru Crew is not responsible for any money or alcohol you waste in attempts to create this cocktail.  You have been warned.

The Beet; aka The Pantone (the BoozeGuru Crew version)

• 1.5 ounces Four Roses Bourbon Small Batch (or Single Barrel)
• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 ounce beet juice
• 1/2 ounce Combier or Cointreau
• 1/2 ounce Combier Kummel
• 1/4 ounce Tincture of Sweet Ginger
• 1/4 ounce simple syrup

Add ice to a Boston Shaker.  Add all the ingredients to the shaker.  Shake until your hands feel like they’re going to freeze off; then shake for another 10 seconds.

Strain the drink into a chilled cocktail (martini) glass.

Garnish with an orange wheel or orange peel twist.

Enjoy!

Oh, and try not to spill.  The beet juice permanently stains on contact!