Beer cocktails occupy a specific niche in the cocktail canon, one that seems to elicit divisive opinions. Nonetheless, there’s something inarguably appealing about the Americano Perfecto, a modern-day cult classic devised by Damon Boelte at Brooklyn’s now-closed Prime Meats in the 2010s.
It’s one of those “as easy to make as it is to drink” numbers, an Americano in which lager replaces soda water and two sweet vermouths go to bat.
At Bar Miette – Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann’s new Euro-inspired café, wine bar and terrace in Brisbane – cocktail maestro Cameron Parish scraps the vermouth entirely, in favour of verjuice and a house-made rooibos syrup. It may seem like a peculiar combo, but Parish insists it clicks. “Anything that has citrus notes works really well with a clean, crisp lager,” he says. “Here, the verjuice and fruity flavour of the rooibos bring a real brightness.”
Given a vast majority of Miette’s seating is alfresco, brightness is very much top of Parish’s mind as the weather warms. “This is the apéritif I’d like to start with: light and refreshing but also sophisticated.”
How to make Bar Miette’s Rooibos Americano Perfecto recipe
For rooibos syrup, steep a pinch of rooibos tea in 100ml water and refrigerate overnight.
Strain off tea leaves, add 100gm caster sugar and stir until dissolved. In a small Collins glass, combine 45ml lager, 45ml Chinati Vergano Americano (see note), 15ml verjuice and 7.5ml rooibos syrup, then stir gently to combine.
Fill with ice and top up with 30ml lager to form a frothy cap. Garnish with an orange slice.
Chinati Vergano Americano is available from giorgiodemaria.com and select specialty bottle shops.
Note
Three lagers to try in a Rooibos Americano Perfecto
Yulli’s Brews Seabass Mediterranean Lager
Lagers don’t get much crisper than this unfiltered benchmark from a much-loved Sydney brewery, which packs a zesty, almost briny punch.
Looking for a mid-strength lager that’s low in calories, carbs and gluten but more than lives up to its name? Here it is. Complete with B-Corp certification.
Eagle Bay Brewing Co Wheatbelt Lager
Biscuity malt character dominates Eagle Bay’s ode to the Western Australian wheat belt, brought into balance by delicate bitterness and spice.
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