Layover at LAX

Not every cocktail will transport you to another time or place, but when you happen to have one that does, it is worth savoring every sip. And this Layover at LAX is a refreshing gin-based cocktail that does precisely that. The cocktail is aromatic and bright, perfect for getting your mind off a long day at work and putting it to good use planning your next tropical getaway.

The cocktail has a wide array of citrus flavors, both from fresh lemon and lime juice and from citrus-infused spirits. As our base, we used Tanquary Rangpur, a gin which is infused with citrus known as rangpur or rangpur lime, as well as ginger and bay leaves. Rangpur limes are not actually limes, but are a citrus fruit that is a hybrid between a mandarin orange and a lemon. They’re aromatic and highly acidic, so they are sometimes used as a substitute for limes (hence the name) if they are not simply being appreciated on their own merits. The gin’s upfront citrus flavor is perfect in this cocktail. We also used a dash of Captain Morgan’s Grapefruit Rum to bring in a touch of pink grapefruit flavor without adding any more acid to the drink. This particular rum is excellent as flavored rums go and is potent enough that only a small amount can bring a lot of flavor to a cocktail.

The key to this cocktail is a generous splash of our Coconut Orgeat syrup, which adds a creamy, tropical sweetness and helps to bind all those other flavors together. It’s got a great coconut flavor without being too sweet or too thick (a la Coco Lopez), so it’s easy to work with.

Layover at LAX
2 oz Tanqueray Rangpur
1/4 oz Captain Morgan Grapefruit Rum
3/4 oz coconut orgeat
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass or shaker and fill with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.