November is a month for warmth, comfort, and hearty dinners. Especially with the endless array of winter crops available—including the variety of squash and potato, ready to be baked, steamed, fried, mashed, or better yet, made into a drink.
Todd Thrasher, mixologist at PX in Old Town Alexandria, has whipped up something special for the season: a drink made with pureed sweet potato that hits the spot in terms of warmth and comfort.
He's named it Clinton Needs to Clean the Office and Stop Smoking. But don’t let the name fool you. November is also a month for family—and sometimes family are the only ones to call you out on your bull. At PX, Restaurant Eve and other sister establishements in Alexandria, they're all family, and Thrasher would never miss an opportunity to help PX manager Clinton Terry grow into a better individual...(plus he really enjoys giving drinks interesting names).
Some other cocktail names include The Cocktail with No Name, It Could be a Wee Bit Drier, Plight of the Honey Bee (named and designed to bring attention to the decreasing number of these enormously beneficial creatures), and Smoker’s Delight (concocted with Old Virginia tobacco to help Restaurant Eve's Chef Armstrong kick his pack a day smoking habit). But perhaps the most notable, I Have Too Much Thyme on my Hands Right Now at This Point in My Life took first place at the 42Below Vodka Cocktail World Cup in New Zealand with the longest name in cocktail history. The name was inspired by all the thyme growing in Thrasher’s garden, proving his creativity to stem from more than just a good drink, but also a moment, a smell, or even a memory.
Clinton Needs to Clean the Office and Stop Smoking
Sweet Potato Cocktail Recipe from Mixologist Todd Thrasher
1/2 oz. Licor 43
1/2 oz. Mount Gay XO rum
1/2 oz. Captain Morgan 100 proof rum
2 oz. Sweet Potato Puree mixture (recipe below)
METHOD:
Stir all ingredients until well incorporated.
FOR SWEET POTATO PUREE:
4 cooked, peeled sweet potatoes 1 star anise pod
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 cinnamon stick
Clinton Needs to Clean the Office and Stop Smoking
4 whole allspice berries
1 cup maple water (1/2 cup maple syrup combined with 1/2 cup hot water)
METHOD:
Puree all ingredients and simmer for half an hour. Strain Mixture.
Until golden brown. Brush with thin coat of jam for shine as desired.
Original article published in Virginia Living Blog
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