More Supreme

More Supreme by Alec Bales

There are cocktails which appear to be something they are not, either by design such as the April Fool’s Martini, or more elegantly by clarification such as the Three Keys, and a disguised drink would certainly be an appropriate choice to toast one of Juno’s disguised creations. I’m focusing on a few other aspects of the design for this toast, however. I love how these objects incorporate multiple styles in such an elegant package, which changes as it is experienced. Juno seems to do this better than anyone – he’s “more supreme”.

Supreme simplicity

I found what I was looking for in a perfect cocktail from Atlanta bartender Alec Bales, who honed his skills from an early age and despite his youth embraces the history and classic formulas in all his creations. If I had to pick two favorite cocktails, I would most likely select a daiquiri and a Negroni. Bales makes the choice easy by delivering a drink that plays to both and morphs as it is imbibed. Following the daiquiri template, Bales anchors his drink with rhum agricole, a French Caribbean style of rum made with pure sugarcane that imparts an earthy, grassy flavor. To that he adds a quarter ounce of Campari, which settles at the bottom for a bracing final sip that transports the drink and drinker. He notes that a good cocktail, like a good puzzle, starts with a simple concept but, “there’s usually a little bit more under the surface.” Cheers!

More than a pair

More Supreme by Alec Bales

1 ½ oz rhum agricole (Rhum Clément Select Barrel)

¾ oz lime

½ oz cane syrup

¼ oz Campari

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Pour Campari down the side and garnish with cracked black pepper.