Sother Teague is the author of I’m Just Here for the Drinks, a co-host with Damon Boelte of The Speakeasy podcast, and beverage director of Amor y Amargo in New York City. For this episode, he walks us through incorporating bitter liqueurs into holiday cocktails; mixes an Amor y Amargo original, the Bald Mountain; and discusses the state of his bar in the COVID era. 

In 2018, Teague was profiled by Shanna Farrell for Imbibe, focusing on his advocacy for mental health care among bartenders and other hospitality professionals. In this episode, he shares resources he’s found helpful during the COVID crisis, including FOH (Focus on Health, from bartenders Lauren Paylor and Alex Jump), and The Healthtender, from bartender Amie Ward. For more coverage of mental-health issues, including links to available resources, check out our 2018 profile and this article from April 2020.

Bald Mountain

1 oz. Varnelli Punch Fantasia

½ oz. aged rum (Amor y Amargo uses The Real McCoy)

½ oz. overproof rum (Amor y Amargo uses Smith & Cross)

½ oz. rich cinnamon syrup 

¼ oz. Giffard Caribbean Pineapple Liqueur

2 dashes Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Aromatic Bitters

Mulled Hot Water, to top

Glass: 8 oz. mug or cup (Amor y Amargo uses the iconic New York City takeout coffee cup)

Garnish: orange twist, fresh-grated nutmeg

Combine all of the ingredients in a cup, and top with mulled hot water. Twist a piece of orange peel over the drink, and sprinkle with fresh-grated nutmeg.

Rich Cinnamon Syrup: In a saucepan, combine 2 cups of demerara sugar, 1 cup of water, and 4 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces. Bring to a boil while whisking to dissolve sugar, then let simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Let cool, then strain and bottle for use; keeps refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Mulled Hot Water: Fill a small saucepan or electric kettle with water, then add one or two cinnamon sticks, several whole cloves, and a couple of whole star anise, to taste. Let mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, and keep warm for serving. 

Blake Walker

Amor y Amargo, New York City

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