The Inspiration
Inspired by the notorious opera of Bizet, everyone has heard the “Toreador song” before at least once and if you haven’t yet you should definitely check it out!
It is sung by the Toréador Escamillo as he enters in act 2 and describes various situations in the bullring, the cheering of the crowds and the fame that comes with victory.
From there, I thought of paying tribute to Bizet by creating a little riff on a Toreador cocktail.
An easier introduction to tequila and, funny enough, predecessor of our beloved Margarita.
The Homemade Heirloom Carrot & Tarragon Shrub.
Ingredients:
- 500g heirloom carrots, chopped
- 500g water
- 125g caster sugar
- 1 clove
- 1/2 cinnamon stick
- Pinch of salt
- 100g cider vinegar
- 10 tarragon leaves
Instructions:
- Begin by chopping 500g of heirloom carrots into bite-sized pieces.
- In a Thermomix or a saucepan, combine 500g of water and 125g of caster sugar. Add one clove, half a cinnamon stick, and a pinch of salt.
- Blend the mixture until smooth, then transfer it to a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- After simmering, strain the mixture to remove any solids.
- Stir in 100g of apple cider vinegar and add 10 tarragon leaves to the liquid.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- After 10 minutes, strain the mixture again to remove the tarragon leaves and any remaining solids.
- Transfer the pickling liquid into a clean, sterilized jar and store it in the refrigerator.
- Your homemade baby carrot pickles are now ready to enjoy! These tangy, slightly sweet pickles are perfect for snacking, adding to salads, or serving as a flavorful garnish.
The Classic Toreador Cocktail
The Toreador Cocktail made its debut in the 1937 edition of the “Cafe Royal Bar Book” by Tarling. Originally, this cocktail was conceived as a variation of the “Picador”, also listed in the same book.
The Picador essentially represented what we now recognise as the Margarita! How wild?!
Interestingly enough, the recipes for both the Picador and the Toreador were documented 16 years prior to the earliest known reference to the Margarita.
For a comprehensive exploration of the origins of the “Daisy” cocktail family, a separate article would be necessary. Please let me know if you would be interested in me writing one.
My recipe for the Toreador (Readapted)
- 45 ml Tequila
- 15 ml Apricot Brandy
- 20 ml Lime Juice
- 10 ml Agave Syrup
Shake with ice and double strain into a chilled coupette.
