2022 Best of Lake Erie: Cocktail
Sip on a refreshing drink at West Rose.
What does West Rose — a cool, hip eatery in Ellicottville, New York — have in common with the Mexican Revolution? The answer is the cool and refreshing cantarito, a cocktail that starts with tequila. The drink was born in the Mexican state of Jalisco with the aim of satisfying the thirst of exhausted fighters going up against a ruthless dictator. Tequila was a very inexpensive alcohol that even the lower classes could afford. The drink was kept cool in clay jugs known as cantaros. Over time, the alcohol was mixed with other ingredients such as grapefruit soda and chili. West Rose’s version combines tequila, lime, grapefruit and pineapple for a delicious concoction served in handmade clay tumblers rimmed with Tajin and garnished with dried orange and mint.
Ellicottville, New York, 716-699-9113, westrose.restaurant
Make Your Own
Serving: 1
• 2 ounces tequila blanco
• 1/2 ounce pineapple juice
• 1 ounce grapefruit cordial
• 1 ounce lime juice
• Splash of soda water
• Tajin chili seasoning
Add all of the ingredients into a tumbler. Stir to integrate. Pour over ice into a clay jug garnished with Tajin, plus a dehydrated orange and mint leaves.
