For more cocktails, see my Complete Book of Mixed Drinks (HarperCollins, 2002).

I am suggesting at least one featured spirit for each cocktail. These choices are based on my objective evaluation and are not paid advertisements. Enjoy!

Anthony Dias Blue

Água Luca Cucumber Mojito

Água Luca is a cachaça, a Brazilian rum made from the juice of fresh sugar cane. It's smooth and spicy with notes of tobacco and sweet earh. With its fat, ripe texture, fleshy flavors and smoky notes, it can be consumed straight in shots, or try it in a cocktail such as this one.


1.5oz. Água Luca
8 small cubes of cucumber
3/4oz rock candy syrup
5-8 mint leaves
3/4oz sweet and sour

Muddle cucumber cubes with rock candy syrup. Add mint leaves and muddle. Add Água Luca, lime juice and sweet and sour. Shake with ice and top with soda water.

From Mariana Mercer, "Tequila Goddess", Isla, Las Vegas

Featured Spirit of the Week

Água Luca

Anthony Dias Blue's Complete Book of Mixed Drinks and Complete Book of Spirits are available from Amazon.com.