Chase that shot of tequila with the green, herbaceous and spicy Verdita drink.
While gathering the ingredients for today’s recipe, I heard the news of the passing of Claudia Cardinale, the legendary Italian actress and icon of cinema. From The Pink Panther in the 1960s to Werner Herzog’s unforgettably obsessive film Fitzcarraldo, Cardinale was a ray of beauty, both angelic and mysterious. The camera loved her, and so did film fans all over the globe. A sad day indeed.
My favorite role of hers was in Sergio Leone’s epic Once Upon A Time In The West. Her introduction in the movie includes an incredible journey through Monument Valley in the Southwest of the United States. A wholly unique landscape, which many classic Westerns before this one—and since—utilized so often that it is tethered to the myth of the Old West forever. And with Ennio Morricone’s heartbreaking and beautiful music accompanying the scene… indescribable, honestly. If you’ve never seen it, find the biggest screen possible, and bring the tequila.
I rewatched the film this evening, and I accompanied my tequila with the Southwestern charms of this green-colored relative to the deep red Sangrita, the Verdita. As I sipped and got lost in the dusty, sun-drenched vistas of the movie, I felt gratitude that Claudia Cardinale was forever enshrined at the story’s center. The matriarch we all wish could protect us from the wild, scary and new modern world we live in.
Cheers, Claudia.
What is the best alcohol to use in a Verdita?
Since this is considered a chaser or companion to a few fingers of tequila, no alcohol is required to mix it up. You can add this to the Mezcal Margarita, which is a popular version of that particular libation.
Ingredients
- 5 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 small jalapeño sliced and deseeded
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Place the pineapple juice, lime juice, cilantro, mint leaves, and jalapeño slices into a blender. Add the salt.
- Secure the lid and blend on high for 30-45 seconds until smooth and vibrant green.
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a small bottle or bowl. Use the back of a spoon to press the pulp firmly against the strainer. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving in shot glasses.
Nutrition
What glassware is used?
After cooling your mixture down in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to an hour, pour into a small rocks glass, or even a shot glass.
Can you purchase premade Verdita drinks?
There are a few boutique companies out there that offer a premixed Verdita for sale, but by and large, this is something that is made fresh and at home.
Other recipes like the Verdita
If the robust and full-bodied heat of the Verdita made your happy hour a spicy one, and you’re thirsty for more of the same, allow Twist & Toast to show you a few other things you can sip on. Check out some of these beverages below, then peruse the site for anything else you might be curious about.
- Spicy Bloody Mary – Kick the classic drink up a few notches with this recipe.
- Red Snapper – Have a zesty brunch with this gin-based beverage.
- Vampiro – Sangrita, tequila and soda create this bloody-looking concoction.
- Virgin Bloody Mary – Need something spicy, but without the spirits? Give this mocktail a try.
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