Clinton Cawood walks us through Jeffrey Morgenthaler's neo classic, the Lone Ranger.
Some of the best contemporary classics improve on the seemingly unimprovable. The French 75 might be considered to fall into that latter category – an elegant, celebratory cocktail that manages to be equal parts fun and refined.
In 2012, Portland bartender and bar operator Jeffrey Morgenthaler made two inspired changes, switching out the gin for tequila and making it pink with a brut rosé sparkling wine.
“I wanted something lower in proof, light, fun, refreshing – the fact that it was pink was an added bonus,” he says of the Lone Ranger, which went on the brunch cocktail menu at Clyde Common for a time. “French 75s always go great with light fare, and this is very much a French 75 riff /ripoff. It was a no-brainer.”
Not quite an instant classic, the Lone Ranger’s tenure on that brunch menu came and went, and it bided its time until earlier this year, when, in Morgenthaler’s words, it soared to popularity.
“Part of me wonders if it was a little too weird for the general public 12 years ago,” he says. “The idea of drinking tequila at brunch isn't that crazy of an idea for folks these days.”
Lone Ranger by Jeffrey Morgenthaler
• 45ml blanco tequila
• 30ml lemon juice
• 15ml 2:1 simple syrup
• 60ml brut rosé sparkling wine Shake tequila, lemon juice and simple syrup with ice cubes until cold.
Add sparkling wine to the cocktail shaker. Strain over fresh ice into a chilled Collins glass. Garnish with a lemon twist