Fiola’s “Leonardo Smiling” Cocktail (Call it a Spiced Guava & Tequila Cocktail) Reminiscent of a Margarita with a bit of Smokey Salt and Cinnamon Syrup

A yummy cold, refreshing tequila drink. Perfect when you want something that is special and different. Was thrilled that Fiola, Miami (By far my favorite Italian Restaurant in Miami) shared their recipe. This cocktail is a brilliant play on words. The Italian word Sfumato is an oil painting technique meaning “smoke” used to soften the transition between colors making the transitions imperceptible. The Sfumato technique was invented and used by Leonardo Da Vinci and made the paintings look more natural. Leonardo used many layers of very thin pain to create the look. The Mona Lisa was created this way. This drink encompasses many soft layers that all work together in a smokey kind of way with the addition of a bitter Italian liquor called Sfumato which adds a slight smoky richness to the drink.

Ingredients for Cocktail:

1.5 oz good tequila

1.5 oz spiced guava puree (recipe below for cinnamon syrup and puree)

.75 oz fresh lemon juice

.5 oz Amaro Sfumato

Splash of club soda

Cinnamon and Smoked salt for the rim

1 whole star anise for garnish

Directions for Cocktail:

Run a lemon around the edge of the glass. Shake all of the ingredients together with ice. Place the smoked cinnamon salt on a small plate. Dip the rim of the glass onto the plate.

Mix all ingredients together in a martini shaker with ice and shake well. Strain and pour into glass.

Directions for Cinnamon Syrup:

4 oz hot water

4 oz sugar

6 cinnamon sticks

Stir all together, set aside and steep for 1 day

Directions for Spiced Guava Puree:

4 oz Guava Puree (from frozen isle in grocery store)

4 oz Cinnamon Syrup

Smoked Cinnamon Salt for the Rim:

3 parts smoked salt

1 part ground cinnamon