The Sanctimonious Kid

Name: The Sanctimonious Kid
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 short drink
Ingredients: 6 ounces 100 percent agave blanco tequila; 4 to 6 bay leaves; 3/4 ounce Pimm’s No. 1; 3/4 ounce fresh-squeezed blood orange juice plus a twist of blood orange, for garnish; 1/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice; Club soda

Recipe from Kevin Denton

Adapted by Robert Simonson

Updated July 16, 2021

The Sanctimonious Kid — Robert Stolarik for The New York Times

Total Time: About 10 minutes, plus overnight "soaking"
Rating: 4(21)
Comments: Read comments

At many bars, cocktails tend to come these days in boat-size portions. But some New York City bars, like the one at Wylie Dufresne’s Alder restaurant, offer so-called short drinks that are about the half the size of a regular serving. This one, named for an Old West bandit, is made ahead of time and dispensed from a tap at Alder. At home, you can mix it yourself — and double the measurements if you want the full-size version. Infusing your own tequila requires a little forethought but not much work, and produces enough to spice up future drinks. —Robert Simonson

Featured in: For the Moderate Thirst (or Budget)

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Ingredients

Yield:1 short drink

6ounces 100 percent agave blanco tequila
4 to 6bay leaves
¾ounce Pimm’s No. 1
¾ounce fresh-squeezed blood orange juice plus a twist of blood orange, for garnish
¼ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
Club soda

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Put the tequila and bay leaves into a blender and blend at a high speed until you can’t see any big chunks of bay leaf. Strain into a jar and cover. Allow to settle overnight. The next day, carefully pour the clarified tequila into another jar and discard the settled bay leaves. (You will lose about 5 percent of the tequila with the leaves.)
Step 2
In a mixing glass three-quarters full of ice, pour ¾ ounce of the infused tequila. (Save the remainder for future drinks.) Add the Pimm’s, orange juice and lime juice and shake until chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and the orange twist.