For Soma owner and proprietor Nikita Paras, mixing drinks is part creativity and part observation, but mostly it’s about making a great cocktail. This season, Paras is finally serving a drink he’s been teasing his customers with over the past year: the Don Julio fig-infused strawberry martini.
“We’ve been making shots of this drink for our regulars and they love it,” says Paras, who plans to serve it two ways: with or without the muddled strawberries. “Our male customers tend to order the fig-infused tequila on its own. They say it sips like a Scotch.” But if you like it sweet, Paras says, make sure you ask for the strawberries. Soma, 256 Cabot St., Beverly, 978-524-0033, somabeverly.com. -Jack Morris
Don Julio Fig-Infused Strawberry Martini
Serves 10
The infusion
1 bottle Don Julio Reposado (750 ml.)
3 cartons fresh figs (about 1.5 lbs.)
2 vanilla beans
3 sticks cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar
Chop figs into small pieces. Slice vanilla beans in half and scrape out seeds. Place figs and beans into a large mixing bowl. Add cinnamon and brown sugar. Toss then place ingredients slowly into hot skillet pan. Sear until mixture becomes a soupy mash (be careful not to cook figs through). Place all contents into bowl and add tequila. Stir thoroughly and let cool. Cover and keep in cool, dry place. Stir for two minutes each day for one month. After one month, strain once through regular strainer (being careful not to press down on figs). Use a finer strainer a second time, then a coffee filter a third time. Should be left with a golden liqueur.
The drink
2 ice cubes
3 strawberries
2.5 oz. infused tequila
Splash of cranberry juice
Makes one drink: Place ice in a glass with two strawberries. Muddle. Add infused tequila, cranberry juice. Cover, shake, and strain into martini glass. Garnish with a strawberry.