Smoky Barista

I made a fantastic cocktail from a nonalcoholic cocktail book called ZERO—from the talented folks over at the Aviary cocktail book—and had some extra ginger syrup left over. I wondered what ginger would taste like with mezcal and tested it out in this riff on a margarita. It. Is. Amazing.

Ingredients

2 oz Fidencio mezcal
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz ginger syrup
6 Starbucks Caffe Verona coffee beans

Directions

Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Cilantro Lime Beurre Blanc

Last updated: February 18, 2026

Ingredients

1/4 c sliced garlic
1/4 bunch cilantro
6 black peppercorns
2/3 c dry white wine (150 ml)
1/3 c lime juice (75 ml)
1/4 cup heavy cream
8 oz butter, cut into small chunks, chilled
3 tbsp vegetable/chicken/any kind of stock

Recipe

1/4 c sliced garlic
1/4 bunch cilantro
6 black peppercorns
2/3 c dry white wine (150 ml)
1/3 c lime juice (75 ml)
Add to a 1.5qt saucepan over high heat and bring to boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer—around medium low—and simmer until liquid is down to 1 tbsp, about 20 minutes.

1/4 cup heavy cream
Add to the saucepan, increase heat to medium, simmer until it'll coat a spoon, about 5-10 minutes.

8 oz butter, cut into small chunks, chilled
3 tbsp vegetable/chicken/any kind of stock
Reduce heat to low. Add butter to the saucepan one piece at a time, whisking constantly to maintain the emulsion. Strain into small saucepan and stir in stock. Keep warm until ready to use.