Cannabis is no longer a dirty little secret. It’s time to change the narrative and showcase the fact that real people do incredible things and use cannabis. Like “The Mezzrole Cocktail” by famed mixologist, chef, and writer known as the “Cocktail Whisperer,” Warren Bobrow. Featured in his book, Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails and Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks and Buzz-Worthy Libations (which you can pick up here), The Mezzrole Cocktail puts a spin on the classic Manhattan featuring cannabis-infused vermouth. Sounds tasty. We love a good Manhattan, and, of course, are champions of cannabis, but the real reason we get behind this genius concoction comes in our mutual source of inspiration—the name Mezz. Inspired by the outspoken prohibition era jazz musician Milton “Mezz” Mezzrow, who ultimately became best known for his weed than his music. So much so that “Mezz” became slang for weed in Harlem.

Here’s Warren Bobrow on the inspiration behind his cocktail:

“I’m a huge fan of Manhattan-style cocktails; they make great aperitifs. This one is named after Milton “Mezz” Mezzrow, a jazz musician who lived in Harlem in the 1920s. And, as Mezz himself would have known, the term for a well-rolled cannabis cigarette was a “mezzrole”—so I just had to commemorate both man and medicine in this elegant cocktail. It combines cannabis-infused sweet vermouth, handmade cocktail cherries, and quality bourbon into a small, but well-formed, libation that’s deeply healing. When you’re infusing your vermouth, consider choosing a Sativa-Indica hybrid strain called Cherry Pie. It’s redolent of sweet and sour cherries, and it complements the toasty, oaky flavors inherent in the liquors. As for making crushed ice, it’s best to place the ice in a Lewis bag—a heavy canvas bag that’s made for the job—before whacking it with a wooden mallet or rolling pin.”

And now for the receipe, The Mezzrole Cocktail:

• 4-6 Greenish Cocktail Cherries
• 1/2 ounce (15 ml) cannabis-infused vermouth, such as Uncouth Vermouth’s Seasonal Wildflower Blend
• Handful of crushed ice
• 1 ounce (30 ml) bourbon whiskey
• Aromatic bitters

Directions:

Muddle the Greenish Cocktail Cherries with a wooden muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, then top with the vermouth. Continue to muddle for 30 seconds to combine the flavors. Cover with the crushed ice. Top with the bourbon, then dot with aromatic bitters. Don’t have two: one should be more than enough.

To learn how to how to decarb your cannabis, infuse your vermouth, and make Greenish Cocktail Cherries, please read the rest of the article via Hopegrown.org.