Where: Reposado Bar and Lounge, 136 Ossington, at Argyll, 416-532-6474
How: 1¼ oz El Jimador Añejo tequila, ¾ oz Martini and Rossi sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, a squirt of lemon juice. Stir over ice, serve straight up with a lemon twist in a Galliano-rinsed glass.
How much: $14
The experience: Admittedly, substituting one spirit for another in a classic combination – tequila instead of whisky in a Manhattan – isn’t exactly revolutionary, but at Reposado it’s the quality of that substitution that deserves attention.
If you want in-depth guidance in matters of the fermented agave, this sometimes romantic, sometimes boisterous, always cool Ossington original awaits.
Sure, you’re familiar with El Jimador tequila, but wait a minute, the aged Añejo? Where’d they get that? It’s the smoky, vegetal depth of the tequila that makes this Spanish Harlem special just that much more sultry. Hard-asses could request a little ease-up on the vermouth, but they may be upsetting a delicate balance.
Away from the bar, Jan Ollner’s a hardworking painter, but you may also partake of his artistry in a more fluid medium.
