A December Sip: The Cuckoo Cocktail by The Cocktail Architect

The Cuckoo Cocktail Photo Credit @ Colin Miller

An Effortless Cocktail

With Christmas and the holidays coming up with all the cooking, hosting, and entertaining, you may be pushed for time to shake up a drink at home. That’s where our craft cocktail syrups come in—they make mixing effortless and elevate any drink, allowing you more time to relax with a delicious libation in hand. What's more, they make a unique gift to bring along to a party, as opposed to the usual bottle of wine!

We’re welcoming in December with a seasonal drink: The Cuckoo. I created this drink as the Brand Ambassador of Tres Papalote Mezcal, by Cheech Marin. The drink was aptly named after a piece of art Cheech owns. We served it up to him and a bunch of friends at his in home in LA, during LA art week.

The Cuckoo features one of our favorite smoky spirits,- Mezcal, made with Tres Papalote, which is handcrafted from the wild cupreata agave plant, found only in Guerrero, Mexico.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, persimmon is the perfect fruit for this time of year. Naturally sweet, grounding, and rich in antioxidants, it helps balance excess heat during the colder months, and offers a soothing calm to the nervous system—ideal for December’s busy festive energy.

Persimmon also has a beautiful history: loved across East Asia for thousands of years, it’s known as the “fruit of the gods,” symbolizing good fortune and longevity. Its honeyed flavor and vibrant color make it a natural star for seasonal recipes.

Also, in the spirit of the holidays, The Cocktail Architect will be at Field + Supply, New York City’s first-ever holiday market. We’ll be showcasing our custom-crafted cocktail syrups, including our three-bottle mini artisan syrup trios—perfect as stocking fillers or thoughtful small gifts. And yes, we’ll have a few festive surprises waiting for you. If you’re in NYC or Upstate, come say hello—we’d love to see you.

 The Cuckoo Cocktail

• 2 oz Mezcal

• 1 oz persimmon simple syrup

• 1 oz fresh lime juice

• 1–2 dashes hellfire bitters

• Fresh Tarragon for garnish

Shake with ice, strain into a chilled Martini glass.

As with all of our drinks, to make the mocktail version, you simply omit the Mezcal and add some sparkling water.

Celebrate the Holidays with a Cocktail Class

Beyond our craft cocktail syrups, we have a few spots left for our festive Cocktail and Mocktail Classes. Whether you're a corporate team bonding before the holidays or hosting friends for a festive night, we combine craft, flavor, and connection.

From Our Home to Yours

This December we’re grateful for you—our community of discerning cocktail and mocktail lovers. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, a hot date, or simply winding down after a long day in the kitchen, we hope our artisan syrups bring ease and joy to your home.

Cheers!

Yusef & Nandini Austin

The Cocktail Architect

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