RECIPE: Speakeasy-themed Bearcats Margherita

Speakeasy-inspired underground bar in Leamington Spa, Hush, immerses guests back in time to the Prohibition era of 1920/30s America.

General manager Matthew Nisbets and bar manager Bethany Gaunt pride themselves on the specially curated extensive drinks menu.

The 25 innovative crafted cocktails include many inspired by the Prohibition theme.

Cocktails include Flapper In The Frolic Pad (young women who rebelled against societal norms with their fashion and free behaviour); Bootlegger's Blush (so-called as they used to hide liquor in their boots); Peaching The Bulls (a term used for calling the police in covert language) and Bearcat's Margarita and Cherry Temptress (slang terms for feisty and fiery women).

Here is one of Hush's exclusive recipes to try at home. . .

Bearcats Margherita

Inspired by a slang term in the Prohibition era for feisty and fiery women.

Ingredients:

• 40ml El Jimador Reposado Tequila
• 10ml Cointreau
• 10ml gochujang infused Ancho Reyes Verde
• 10ml yuzu purée
• 15ml lime juice
• Smoked sea salt rim

Method:

1. Infuse the Ancho Reyes with Gochujang which is a Korean chilli paste made from dried chilli flakes, fermented soy beans and rice.
2. Pour 750ml of Ancho Reyes into a sous-vide bag and add 125g of Gochujang paste. Seal the bag with the vacuum sealer.
3. Place this into the water bath and set the sous vide for 3 hours at 73 degrees. Once finished, fast chill the infused Ancho Reyes in an ice bath and then filter the infusion.
4. Now we have everything we need to make the Bearcat.
5. Before making the cocktail, prepare the glass with Smoked Maldon sea salt for the rim as the smokiness complements the savoury taste of the Gochujang. Use a freshly cut wedge of lime to run round the edge of the glass and push into the well of salt. Use a napkin to tidy the rim and remove any salt that has fallen into the glass.
6. Add the 40ml El Jimador Reposado, 10ml Gochujang-infused Ancho Reyes, 10ml Cointreau, 15ml lime juice, and 10ml Yuzu Puree to a Boston shaker.
7. Add ice to the shaker and give it a hard shake.
8. Double strain the cocktail into the prepared glass and serve with a wedge of lime on the edge of the glass.

Visit the Hush website here.