Late Checkout Cocktail

Channel vacation vibes with this delicious cocktail from the Little Palm at the Ryder Hotel in Charleston, SC. Every sip hits the perfect balance with smoky Lapsang Souchong tea infused peach liqueur, sweet strawberry, tart lime and floral vanilla notes. While the ingredient amounts below are sized to make an individual cocktail, note that this recipe can also be scaled up to make a batch-sized cocktail for a party – just multiply the individual recipe by the number of guests, planning for about 2-3 cocktails per person. Serve it in a Dutch Oven to keep it cold, and allow guests to help themselves for ease in serving.

Lapsang Souchong Infused Peach Liqueur

56 grams loose Lapsang Souchong Tea

45 ounces peach liqueur, such as Giffard Peche de Vigne

Late Checkout Cocktail

1.25 ounces blanco tequila

1 ounce strawberry simple syrup

.75 ounce lime juice

.5 ounce Lapsang Souchong Infused Peach Liqueur

.25 ounces vanilla simple syrup

4 ounces soda water

Ice

For the peach liqueur:

Place loose tea and liqueur in a small bowl. Allow mixture to infuse at room temperature for about 1 hour. Strain liqueur and pour into an airtight bottle until ready to use.

For an individual cocktail:

Pour the tequila, strawberry simple syrup, lime juice, Lapsang Souchong Infused Peach Liqueur and vanilla simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Shake all ingredients quickly until well combined, about 15-30 seconds. Strain mixture into a Collins glass. Top with soda water and add ice. 

For a large batch cocktail:

Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings desired, planning for about 2-3 cocktails per person.

Pour the tequila, strawberry simple syrup, lime juice, Lapsang Souchong Infused Peach Liqueur and vanilla simple syrup into a Dutch Oven or punch bowl (or large pitcher). Stir together until well combined, about 15-30 seconds. Place in the refrigerator to keep chilled until ready to serve.

Add the soda water and ice to the Dutch Oven or punch bowl for serving. Keep in mind that the ice will melt as the cocktail sits out, so start with a little and replenish it throughout the party. Or alternately, add ice to individual glasses and ladle cocktail over the ice for serving.