Drink of the Week: Frida by Maren Erickson

You know how comfort food instantly makes everything feel slightly better?

Mine is a Mexican chocolate and cayenne pepper cookie from a local bakery in San Antonio. My drink pulls a lot of inspiration from that cookie, perfectly matching the rich, chocolate flavors with a hint of a pepper aftertaste on the finish. It’s a rich dessert cocktail spin on an espresso martini.

Frida

By Maren Erickson 

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Mozart Chocolate Cream Liqueur
• 1/2 oz. red pepper vanilla bean syrup*
• 3/4 oz. espresso
• 1/2 oz. heavy whipping cream

Preparation: Add all ingredients to small tin and shake with ice for 10 seconds. Fine strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with a few espresso beans.

*Red Pepper Vanilla Bean Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1/2 oz. Perfect Puree Red Pepper
• 2 1/2 oz. sugar
• 1/2 oz. vanilla
  

Preparation: Bring pepper puree to a soft boil in a small saucepan. Add sugar and vanilla. Heat until sugar is dissolved completely. Let cool. 

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Meet Maren Erickson

CHILLED 100 Member, San Antonio

After a few years of nonstop industry travel, Maren is a new San Antonio resident hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah. She’s worked under control state laws her entire life and loves finding creative ways to craft a memorable experience within any set of boundaries.

Throughout her years bartending, Maren has earned volunteer leadership roles in the most prominent industry conventions including the Cocktail Apprentice Program (Red Coat 2019) at Tales of the Cocktail, Portland Cocktail Week Varsity Squad 2019 and 2018, and would not have moved to San Antonio had she not been on the Team Taco Prep Team for San Antonio Cocktail Conference. She is a firm believer that community is one of the strongest assets we have and will always plan her vacation time around executing educational events across the country.

In addition to her focus on educational conferences, Maren is always searching for new ways to get more involved with the community. Not only did she help found the Industry Pin Pals Facebook page in collaboration with Mover and Shaker Co that has completely captivated bartenders across the country, but she won’t miss a chance to develop smart, but self-aware pop ups around the country. If an opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with new people arises, you’ll find her there.

The spirits industry changed Maren’s life for the better and she’s always looking to give back. She is excited to see how the industry grows in the coming years and is grateful to be a part of it.