IMAGE ©Risa Weaver-Enion - Risa James Photography

After Six

Name: After Six
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Yield: 1 SERVING | 1 cocktail
Ingredients: Granulated sugar; Whole cinnamon sticks; Whole cloves; Decorticated cardamom seeds; Reposado tequila; Luxardo Bitter Bianco; Whole cardamom pods (green) - for garnish

An aged tequila cocktail

a cocktail recipe

	Granulated sugar
	Whole cinnamon sticks
	Whole cloves
	Decorticated cardamom seeds
	Reposado tequila
	Luxardo Bitter Bianco
	Whole cardamom pods (green) - for garnish

After Six

An aged tequila cocktail

a cocktail recipe

by Risa Weaver-Enion

risajamesphoto.com

Risa Weaver-Enion is a professional photographer based in Sacramento, California. Through her company Risa James Photography, she specializes in food and beverage photography, specifically cocktails. She works with small distilleries, wineries, and purveyors of cocktail accessories to create beautiful imagery for them to use in their marketing efforts. Her book, Cocktails for Everyday Drinking, was published in 2022 and is available at all online booksellers.
When she’s not photographing cocktails, Risa and her husband love to travel, both within the United States and internationally. Many of their trips have been wine-focused, but they’ve visited their fair share of distilleries around the world as well.
Anyone who wants to reach out to Risa to ask questions about photography, cocktails, or anything else, can find her on Instagram @risajamesphotography, on the web at risajamesphoto.com, or over email at risajamesphoto [at] gmail.com. She’s always happy to answer questions and give advice.

This recipe brings the flavors of fall to an after-dinner drink. The warmth of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves in the syrup complement the herbaceous tequila and the bite of the aperitivo. Best enjoyed while cozy.

TIME (ACTIVE) | 3 H
TIME (INACTIVE) | 5 M
TOTAL | 3 H 5 M

1 SERVING | 1 cocktail

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
CHEESECLOTH
GLASS BOTTLE
COCKTAIL SHAKER AND STRAINER
JIGGER

To make the syrup, combine 1/2 cup boiling water with 1/2 cup sugar in a heat-proof container. Stir to dissolve sugar then add two whole cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon whole cloves, and 1 teaspoon decorticated cardamom seeds. Let cool, stirring occasionally. Strain syrup through cheesecloth into a clean glass jar or bottle. Discard solids.

To make the cocktail, combine 2 ounces reposado tequila, 3/4 ounce cinnamon-cardamom-clove syrup, and 3/4 ounce Luxardo Bitter Bianco in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. Add ice and stir for about 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe (or brandy snifter if you have one). Garnish with a whole cardamom pod.

Syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.

Luxardo is a brand name, and their Bitter Bianco is similar to Campari, but it's clear. I use this ingredient when I want the bitter bite but I don't want the cocktail to be reddish-orange.

You can use blanco tequila in this cocktail if that's all you have, but a reposado tequila will add more depth because it's aged for up to a year, giving it more nuance than an unaged blanco.

5.0

cinnamon sticks

cassia

2 3/4" quills

Cassia cinnamon sticks are rigid making them ideal for aromatic crafting or for use as flavor-imbuing stirrers.

1.2 oz - REFILL$4

5 oz - REFILL$12

1.2 oz - REFILL $4

ADD TO CART

4.9

cloves

whole

Whole cloves are intensely aromatic dried flower buds that will impart a warm pungency. It has a slight sweetness on the tongue balanced by a spicy bite.

0.11 oz - PORTION$0.50

1.1 oz - JAR$5

1.1 oz - REFILL$4

6 oz - REFILL$14

0.11 oz - PORTION $0.50

ADD TO CART

4.8

cardamom

seeds

decorticated

Cardamom seeds have an intense eucalyptus-like flavor. The seeds also have slightly minty, citrus and floral notes.

0.39 oz - PORTION$0.50