Hoopla

The cocktail mix for a HOOPLA is any easy one to remember: Four ingredients, all equal parts. If you like tart, don’t rim the glass with sugar. Or if sweet works better for you, go ahead and rim the glass with sugar. One way you might get there is starting with a Sidecar mix and then adding Lillet Blanc, plus a touch more lemon juice — now you have a tasty Hoopla. It’s really not as much fuss as the name might suggest.

Requirements: Brandy (or cognac), Cointreau, Lillet Blanc (or Cocchi Americano), Lemon Juice, Lemon peel

• 3/4 oz. (1 pony) Brandy (or cognac)
• 3/4 oz. Cointreau
• 3/4 oz. Lillet Blanc
• 3/4 oz. Lemon juice
• 1 lemon peel for garnish

Pour liquid ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Drop a lemon peel into the drink. Enjoy!

COMMENTS: Some say that Cocchi Americano is just as good if not better than Lillet Blanc in the mix. But the Lillet version is fine and is the traditional preference in this delicious recipe.