Recipes

Hair of the Tiger Cocktail

June 20, 2018

Hair of the Tiger Cocktail — This brunch-appropriate cocktail marries the spicy Peruvian leche de tigre (tiger's milk) used to season the fish in ceviche with reposado tequila and fruity hot sauce for a zesty, umami-packed take on a classic Bloody Mary.Matt Taylor-Gross

Literally translating to "tiger's milk," leche de tigre is a critical part of Peruvian ceviche: The mix of citrus, chiles, aromatics, and fish stock flavors and gently "cooks" the raw fish. But in parts of Central and South America, it's also often sipped as a hangover cure. After testing several versions for The Secrets of Lima's Cutting-Edge Ceviche, we turned our leftovers into a zesty, revitalizing cocktail. The gentle spice and citrus notes of reposado tequila were just right with the heat and umami of the tiger's milk.

What You Will Need

Cocktail Shaker

Hair of the Tiger Cocktail

Literally translating to “tiger’s milk,” leche de tigre is a critical part of Peruvian ceviche: The mix of citrus, chiles, aromatics, and fish stock flavors and gently “cooks” the raw fish. But in parts of Central and South America, it’s also often sipped as a hangover cure. After testing several versions for The Secrets of Lima's Cutting Edge Ceviche, we turned our leftovers into a zesty, revitalizing cocktail. The gentle spice and citrus notes of reposado tequila were just right with the heat and umami of the tiger’s milk.

Ingredients

5 oz. leche de tigre
1 ¹⁄₂ oz. reposado tequila
¹⁄₂ tsp. fruity hot sauce, plus more for garnish
Chile salt, for rim
Celery shoots and fresh papaya, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

In an ice-filled shaker, combine the leche de tigre, tequila, and hot sauce. Shake well until the shaker feels cold, then pour over ice into a chile-salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with celery shoots and papaya if desired, and more hot sauce to taste.