Primary Alcohol: Limoncello and Tito’s Homemade Vodka

My experience with this drink came during a casual lunch at Basta. The first round tasted like a fruity cocktail, but the second round came with a little more bite behind the bark. It goes better with appetizers or a pre-dinner cocktail than a full meal.

Taste: Very fruity; the blackberry purée and lemon juice make a sour bite with a subtle hint of minty aftertaste. Depending on who makes it, the vodka either stands out as a flavor or falls to the wayside, overpowered by citrus and sour.

Appearance: A deep red body with a mint garnish, served in a highball glass. Ice cubes provide a textured look when exposed to light.

Advice: Order more than one, or order later in the day. It felt like the first serving was intentionally on the weaker side because it was a lunch drink. When the bartenders realized I was sticking around, their hands seemed significantly heavier.

— by Ben Verhille