Delete That Text

The sour, composed of a spirit, citrus and sweetener, is a classic cocktail template that allows for endless modification. In this case, Patrick Cook, the beverage director at Hyperion Public in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, performs a neat trick to perfect his two-spirit blackberry sour. He enlists easygoing vodka to even out the drink, dubbed Delete That Text, because it seemed a little too gin-forward when he first made it.

“I was in love with the drink, [but] it was almost too botanical and becoming unbalanced,” he says. “I knew that I still wanted to have two ounces of spirit but maybe dial it back just a touch.” Tweaking the ratio to equal-parts gin and vodka make the drink less intensely bold.

“Vodka does a good job enhancing the boozy flavor you’re going for without disturbing the other flavors and allowing you to play around,” he says. He suggests experimenting with different amounts, as even a small half-ounce pour can do wonders to your drinks.

Along with the gin and vodka, Cook uses elderflower liqueur and lemon juice, which add fresh and floral flavors, while muddled blackberry provides the drink’s deep red hue.

Use Vodka to Boost the Flavor and Body of Your Cocktails. This Is How You Do It.

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