At Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters in the Crossroads District of downtown Kansas City, go for the coffee, but stay for the cocktails. When I was there recently sitting at the bar, I watched the bartender making a delicately beautiful drink, so of course I had to ask him what it was. Turns out it was his own concoction, a spinoff of an old drink they used to serve. He offered to make us one and kindly wrote down the recipe like the sweet Valentine bartender he was. I’m not big on sweet cocktails. I’d much rather have a dirty martini, extra dirty. Because, #salt. But this was a bit of a game changer for me, especially because it’s a mixture of citrus and flowers.

The crucial part about this drink he told me, is that when the Aperol, which has a light orange flavor, and the lemon are mixed together they make a grapefruit taste, which gives off a sweet effervescence. The cherry on top is that it is finished with with the elderflower liquor, St. Germain, which is hands down the best Valentine you can have. Knife a little lemon peel for a garnish, and this drink is foolproof to make and goes great with a Valentine’s Day eve Saturday night. Light, but still punchy, and not too sweet, aka the perfect cocktail.

Thou Mayest’s “404”

1.5 oz vodka (can substitute gin)

.75 oz St. Germain

.50 oz Lemon juice

.25 oz Aperol

Shake with ice, strain, and serve with lemon peel.

Go there:

Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters

419 East 18th St
Kansas City, MO 64108

 

Cheers to all the Saints! ~ Amanda

#watchusroam