This cocktail has hints of caramel, soft herbal notes, a spicy pepper punch and an earthy flavour. The Xanath vanilla liqueur comes from Mexico and is made from vanilla pods. According to Luca Cappellari, senior bartender at Le Pont de la Tour, it’s the perfect winter pick-me-up cocktail and leaves a lovely ginger flavour and heat in your throat. The La Mexicaine is only available for a short time at Le Pont de la Tour, so be quick!

Ingredients: (makes one La Mexicaine)

• shavings of fresh ginger
• 35ml tequila
• 15ml Xanath vanilla liqueur
• 20ml fresh lime juice
• juice and seeds from one passionfruit
• squeeze of passionfruit syrup
• 15ml gomme syrup
• Fentimans ginger beer to top it up

Method:

Put the ginger shavings into the base of a cocktail shaker and muddle, before adding the rest of the ingredients. Shake together with some rock ice. Pour through a fine strainer and serve long in a high-ball glass of ice cubes. Top up with Fentimans ginger beer. To serve, garnish with half a passionfruit and some fresh shavings of ginger.