This week’s libation comes from 109 & Co. on Main Street in Little Rock: the Illegal Dulce.
It’s a tasty combination of Ilegal Joven Mezcal; Damiana, an herbal-based liqueur; Cuarenta y Tres, a citrus-based liqueur; fresh lime juice; and Aztec chocolate bitters. Served in a traditional champagne glass, it’s a nice departure for tequila afecionados, like myself.
Barkeep Vinnie shared a mini-tutorial on the making of Mezcal. “Tequila and Mezcal are both made with agave; for the mezcal, the agave core is cooked over wood then crushed and distilled.” That along with the chocolate bitters, he said, paired with a orange liqueur make the difference. They sugar half the rim, so you get a bit of sweet on your palate.

109 & Co., a speakeasy, is located at 109 Main St., and opens at 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
(501) 374-3710