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Gin Derby Cocktail with Kentucky BBQ Spice

This strong cocktail includes some southern-inspired ingredients, including some molasses, and a pinch of Kentucky-style dry rub spice blend. Gin serves as the spirit in this cocktail, which is balanced out by some acidity from lime juice and some sweet vermouth.
This following recipe is for 1 cocktail.

Ingredients

For the Kentucky-Style Dry Rub Spice Blend:

  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp Kosher salt
  • ½ tsp freshly-ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp white granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

For the Cocktail:

  • 1.5 oz gin of choice
  • 2 oz sweet vermouth of choice
  • Juice from ½ lime
  • 2 tsp molasses
  • A tiny pinch of the Kentucky-style dry rub spice blend

Instructions 

  • Prepare the dry rub spice blend by combining the spice blend ingredients in a small bowl.
  • When you are ready to make your cocktail, combine the gin, sweet vermouth, lime juice, molasses, and a tiny sprinkle of the spice blend in a small glass.
  • Mix until the molasses is fully incorporated with the other ingredients, and the sugars from the spice blend have dissolved into the liquid ingredients.
  • Add a few cubes of ice, and stir the mixture until fully chilled.
  • Strain the mixture into a chilled champagne glass, and serve.

Notes

You will only need to use a small pinch of the spice blend for a single cocktail. The remainder of the spice blend can be reserved in an airtight container for a few months.
If you prefer a drier cocktail, reduce the quantity of molasses and sweet vermouth.