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Cocktail History
The Show Me State is a modern cocktail that was created by Robert Sachse at 151 in New York City, New York. Named for the nickname given to the state of Missouri where Sachse originally lived, it started out as a variation of the Jungle Bird that eventually became this refreshing slushie-style drink that’s made with mezcal mixed with lots of citrus and simple syrup.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Orange Curaçao: This is a liqueur made with oranges, sugar, and brandy or rum. I used Naranja Orange Liqueur.
Orange Juice: This is the liquid juice of an orange. I used freshly squeezed orange juice.
Mezcal: This is a spirit made in Mexico with agave, sugar, and alcohol that is aged in an underground pit lined with wood. I used Del Maguey Vida Mezcal.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. I used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water. I made mine using this stovetop recipe.
Lime Wheel: This is a lime slice that has been cut into a circular shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut citrus into slices or wheels. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Blender: This is used to blend up ingredients. I used the Cuisinart SPB-7CH SmartPowder Electronic Bar Blender.
Cocktail Pick: This is used to hold the garnish. I used one from the AhfuLifeAmerican Flag Cocktail Pick Set.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Light yellow color
• Aroma: Faint citrus aromas
• Taste: Prominent flavor of sweet orange with touches of earthy mezcal
• Finish: Light smoky agave notes
Kendall’s Take: “At the time of writing the tasting notes for this cocktail, it’s been consistently in the 90s here in Wisconsin, which is unseasonable for me. I say that because it makes this drink that much better to me right now; the blended, frozen template is a welcome thirst-quencher. Even with a mezcal base, which I usually avoid, the Show Me State manages to be a pretty delicious and refreshing sip for summertime. I could totally see this being a hit at a poolside bar on July 4th.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was found in The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks by the editors of PUNCH and Megan Krigbaum.
Show Me State
Description
The Show Me State is a modern cocktail created by Robert Sachse at 151 in New York City. A nod to his Missouri roots, it began life as a Jungle Bird variation but transformed into a frosty slushie of mezcal, bright citrus, and simple syrup—proof that sometimes the simplest mix can pack the biggest punch.
Ingredients
Method
Add orange curaçao, orange juice, mezcal, lime juice, simple syrup, and cubed ice to a blender.
Blend for 10-15 seconds until smooth.
Pour into a highball glass.
Garnish with lime wheel and American flag cocktail pick.
