April Mixology Madness Cocktail Winner: The Regal Bee

April’s Mixology Madness winner was Brendan Maddock, whose winning drink was a springy cocktail named the Regal Bee, featuring the night’s star ingredient, SmokeLab’s saffron vodka. Maddock gave us the lowdown on this fresh pink drink that will have you buzzing royally.

The drink comprises SmokeLab’s Saffron vodka, fresh strawberries, honey cardamom syrup, lemon, and egg whites. The Regal Bee has a subtle earthy and fruity taste, with a botanical flavor that is perfectly balanced. It is an ideal drink to enjoy while sitting in a garden among the flowers and bees, on a sunny or rainy day in spring or early summer, or while hanging out at a New Bedford eatery like the Irish Rose, where this month’s competition took place.

To make The Regal Bee:

• Muddle 1 – 2 quartered strawberries.
• Add 1 oz of lemon juice and 1 oz of honey cardamom syrup in a cocktail shaker.
• Add 2 oz of egg white and two ice cubes. Shake the contents.
• Add 2 oz of Smoke Lab Saffron vodka and more ice cubes. Shake again, and pour the cocktail into a coupe or martini glass.
• To make the honey cardamom syrup, simmer 1 1/2 cups of honey, 8 – 10 chopped cardamom pods, and 1 1/2 cups of water. Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer.

Maddock says, “I work as a bartender at Square Peg in downtown Warren. If you want to try the Regal Bee, visit the small bar at the Square Peg and enjoy the drink with me on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the month. I am also a part-owner of Stingy Alley, a new speakeasy-style cocktail bar on Main Street in Warren. If you happen to stop by, please say hello.”