Drinks

An Elevated Oyster Shooter

Tip back a taste of Louisiana

October/November 2020

photo: Tim bower

Run-of-the-mill oyster shooters in a shot glass throw back fiery and fast. But when Jeff Mattia, the chef-owner at Pyre Provisions in Covington, Louisiana, wanted a shooter to savor, he grabbed a bottle of Tito’s and mixed in fresh juice and mild green Tabasco. Sure, it’s a little fancy, but this shooter hasn’t forgotten where it came from: “Gulf oysters are at least two bites,” Mattia says. “So our shooter is a big gulp.”

Ingredients

- 4 oz. Tito’s vodka
- 4 oz. green juice (Mattia juices spinach, celery, parsley, and lemon; you can make your own or use any store brand)
- 1½ oz. Tabasco green pepper sauce
- 2 oz. lemon juice
- 2 dashes liquid smoke
- 4 lime wedges
- 1 tbsp. barbecue rub
- 4 shucked oysters

Preparation

In a cocktail shaker, combine the first five ingredients, add a scoop of ice, and shake well. Rim glasses with lime wedges and then dip in barbecue rub. Place an oyster in each glass, and pour cocktail mix over each oyster.