The Freddie Mercury
Entering Stage Left — The Freddie Mercury
Cocktail by Casper Obrzut | Story & Photos by Henry Williford
Inspired by the late, great frontman of the band Queen, this “swizzle" is over the top and extravagant in every sense. Crafted by Casper Obrzut, the cocktail manager at Sneak and Dawdle, he describes the drink as “frivolous”—imagining that the late singer would be pleased with everything from its complexity to its drinkability.
The cocktail is made with chai oolong papaya cinnamon infused Lillet Rouge, Velvet Falernum, pineapple and lemon juice and topped with just enough Dale’s Pale Ale to tie it all together. All these ingredients are shaken together and strained over a tall glass filled with crushed ice. Then, after being stirred with a swizzle stick until the glass is nice and frosty, it’s topped with even more crushed ice and garnished with a cherry.
This signature drink is a perfect tribute to the larger-than-life rockstar and an even better cocktail for an Alabama winter.
The Ingredients
1 oz Chai Oolong Papaya Cinnamon infused Lillet Rouge
0.75 oz Velvet Falernum
0.5 oz Lemon Juice
1 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz Pale Ale
Directions
Shake all the ingredients well with one ice cube.
Strain over crushed ice.
Garnish with a cherry.
Casper Obrzut — Mixologist
Casper Obrzut is the Cocktail Curator for Sneak & Dawdle. He first began his career with cocktails at The Hound in Auburn, Alabama, working as a barback before eventually earning a coveted spot as a bartender. Shortly after, he began working at Avondale Bar & Tap Room where he found the freedom to begin experimenting with cocktails and different flavor profiles. In 2018, Casper was asked to become the Cocktail Curator and help develop the menu and vision aesthetic for Sneak & Dawdle.
The Freddie Mercury is a feature cocktail on Sneak and Dawdle’s Menu, Volume 2. Try one for yourself Wednesday-Saturday: 5 pm to 2 am at 717 1st Ave. Suit B, Opelika, AL. Follow them on social media @sneakanddawdle.
Sneak and Dawdle Celebrates its one year anniversary tonight, New Year’s Eve. Come out and join them for a special celebration!
Look for the bear.