"Ode To Joy" Infused Tequila Cocktail

The "Ode to Joy" cocktail came about as a slightly tongue-in-cheek affair. When Mr. Rain's Fun House opened, four years after the previous Latin-inspired restaurant had closed in our space, we still had a string of guests asking about their tableside guacamole. I would explain to our guests that the item was not available nor consistent with our menu. However, I would assure them that we carry fresh avocados, and that I could offer them something perhaps as memorable.

The cocktail calls for poblano-infused tequila blanco — we use Oro Azul. To give the cocktail more complexity (and give the guacamole brethren their fix), we rim the glass with a flambé of cumin, paprika and sea salt.