Tequila and mezcal might not be what you expect from a classic Nashville hotel bar, but the Train to Nowhere and its bright herb and citrus blend are perfect for any season
A tequila cocktail with a splash of mezcal, the Train to Nowhere marries bright, fruity flavors with roasted winter aromatics. Notes of green pepper and Huana soursop liqueur add body and a touch of tropical fruitiness, while a flamed sprig of rosemary adds the extra herbal touch.
Daniel King, Restaurant and Bar Manager for Evelyn’s at Hutton Hotel, tells us…
Name the cocktail.
Train to Nowhere
What inspired the name? What’s this drink’s origin story?
Named after the Champs’ 1958 single, “Train to Nowhere,” this cocktail didn’t achieve anything close to what its B-side, “Tequila,” did on the charts. The name seemed fitting, as a tequila/mezcal-based drink isn’t typically what people choose during the winter season. Ironically, this underdog has become our highest-selling seasonal cocktail so far!
What other drinks belong in its family?
I would compare it to a savory margarita.
if you like ________ and ________ you should try this drink.
Aromatic herbs and bright citrus.
What food is this cocktail best served with?
The rosemary naturally complements savory roasted winter dishes, while the citrus and acid helps cut through the richness, such as the salty, crispy skin on a roasted chicken.
Ingredients
Tequila, Mezcal, Soursop Liqueur, Grapefruit Juice, Lime Juice, Rosemary-steeped sorghum syrup, grapefruit bitters, rosemary salt
Recipe
- 1 oz Arette Reposado Tequila
- ½ oz Derrumbes San Luis Potosí Mezcal
- ¾ oz Huana Soursop Liqueur
- 1 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- ½ oz Fresh lime Juice
- ½ oz Rosemary-steeped Sorghum Syrup
- 2-3 dashes Fee Brothers Grapefruit Bitters
- Rosemary Salt Rim
- Flamed Rosemary Sprig
- Garnish: Rosemary Sprig
- Glassware: Rocks
Directions
Shaken and garnished with a flamed sprig of rosemary.
