Rodger Montaño, Signature

Inspired by four-time James Beard Award nominee Chef Andrew Weissman, Signature is the stunning restaurant at La Cantera Resort, and is easily one of the best fine-dining experiences in San Antonio.

The bar program is run with equally high standards which are on full display with this year’s Brandy Alexander Tour entry under the name Coco Alexander.

Nutty, by his own admission, the barkeep responsible for Signature’s Coco Alexander is Roger Montaño, a San Antonio native that returned to his hometown after a stint at semi-pro baseball career on the East Coast. Roger wanted to get away from the standard heavy cream or ice cream in his cocktail, and instead opted for a flavor he really loves: coconut. Nuttiness, all around here folks.

“The name speaks for itself with the coconut and chocolate,” says Roger, adding he “wanted to add even more depth by using Cocchi de Torino.” He concludes his own description of this house menu item with “Rakia gets so well integrated with subtleness rounding out the apricot. I love all (flavors) that we have here.”

With coconut milk in lieu of the more traditional cream, this lactose-free dessert cocktail drinks light and is a great night cap. If you dare calorie count this holiday season, this treat can be put on repeat without the guilty feeling.

House-made vanilla bean syrup, and dashes of Aztec Chocolate, Angostura and walnut bitters all add complexity to this creative take on a classic Brandy Alexander cocktail.

Coco Alexander.

 

1 oz. Kinsman Rakia
3/4 oz. dark  Crème de Cacao
1 oz. Coconut Milk   
1/2 oz. Cocchi de Torino
1/2 oz. Vanilla Bean Syrup
4 dashes Chocolate Bitters
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 dashes Walnut Bitters

Instructions. Combine all ingredients into a tin with ice. Shake vigorously and double strain into a coupe.

Garnish. Glass rimmed with toasted coconut shavings.