Bethann Smith, Head Bartender at Murphy’s Law Irish Pub, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
On her night off, it’s not uncommon for Bethann Smith to get a text message from another bartender, asking her what she’d mix for the lady sitting at the bar who likes rum.
Smith, the head bartender and mixologist at the rollicking Murphy’s Law Irish Pub in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, always has a suggestion or two, and many times it’s an original creation.
Smith says she discovered The Perfect Purée through her online subscription to Chilled Magazine and started experimenting as soon as her samples of Pear Puree, Pink Guava Puree and Chipotle Sour blend arrived. The result was a fresh and spicy creation called The Hot Flash.
Smith started by muddling fresh cilantro and lime juice, then she added 1800 Tequila Reposado, jalapeño vodka, The Perfect Purée Chipotle Sour blend and fresh tomato juice. Finally, she rimmed the glass with celery salt, Kosher salt and cracked black pepper and garnished it with celery.
Smith poured shots for a dozen or so customers sitting around the bar one evening and let the compliments flow.
“They loved it!” she said enthusiastically. “It’s warm, but it’s not hot. You get that warm feeling all over in your throat. The name is like kind of a joke because I’m 51 and getting ready to go through hot flashes myself,” Smith said, laughing.
Smith says The Perfect Purée Chipotle Sour lend is essential to The Hot Flash and she plans to put the drink on the menu at the pub, which specializes in traditional Irish food like Bangers & Mash and has a warm inviting atmosphere with mahogany woodwork and a copper-top bar.
Smith, a Rhode Island native, has been tending bar since 1990 in Rhode Island and Florida and credits her keen sense of smell for her talent as a self-made mixologist.
“People laugh at me when I mix something because I have to smell it, but that’s the first thing you do when you drink it,” she says.
Smith creates special martinis and cocktails every week and plans to make The Perfect Purée part of her repertoire. “Especially with the newer, flavored rums and vodkas, they really accent them well,” she says.