Hot Pink (Cocktail Recipe)

One of my favorite things to do is to pretend I'm a mixologist and experiment at home with cocktails. I think I enjoy making cocktails over actually drinking them. Perhaps a part-time bartending job is in my future. I was experimenting with Raff Distillerie's Bummer & Lazarus Dry Gin and this is something I came up with that's a bit spicy and sweet. Hope you enjoy!

For more info on the gin I used, please visit: http://www.raffdistillerie.com/gin.html

Here's what you'll need:
2 oz. Bummer & Lazarus Dry Gin
1/2 oz. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
1/2 oz. lime juice
3/4 oz. pomegranate simple syrup (recipe follows)
1/4 oz. egg white (optional)
15 drops Hellfire bitters
1/4 inch slice jalapeno pepper
4 drops Hibiscus bitters

Here's what you'll do:
- Add all ingredients except the Hibiscus bitters to a cocktail shaker filled half-way with ice.
- Cover and shake vigorously until frost forms on the outside; about 10 seconds.
- Strain into a lowball glass.
- Add 4 drops of Hibiscus bitters over the top for garnish.
- Enjoy!

Pomegranate simple syrup recipe
- Add 1 cup of pomegranate seeds to a medium pot.
- Add 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil.
- Turn off heat, let cool a bit and strain.
- This can keep well in the freezer for up to 6 months. Due to the sugar content, it will remain slushy when frozen. You can just scoop out what you need and return the container to the freezer for future use.