For this week’s featured drink, we stopped by Rio Station and talked to the bar manager, Devon, about his original creation, the Cactus Flower!
When Devon created the Cactus Flower, he was looking to find the perfect combination of heat and sweet by using agave simple syrups to balance the spicy jalapeños. After some trial and error, Devon finalized the ingredients, which include flavors of lime, jalapeño, and blackberry. Devon is a big tequila fan, so it’s no surprise that he created this specialty cocktail with Casamigos Blanco Tequila. Plus, you can’t have tequila without agave, which is how he came up with the name Cactus Flower – referencing both the tequila’s connection to the desert and the color’s resemblance to a cactus flower.
To make the drink, Devon mixed Casamigos Blanco tequila, homemade blackberry simple syrup, homemade jalapeño agave simple syrup, lime juice, and club soda. He poured the mixture into a glass, then added a slice of lime, a blackberry, and a slice of jalapeño on top. We were expecting some heat from the jalapeño, but Devon was spot on and the balanced taste is perfect for everyone!
If you’re looking for more than just a great drink, Rio Station’s extensive menu has something for everyone. The family-owned and operated business still makes every dish from scratch, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a full dinner menu as late as 10 p.m. and a late-night menu served at the bar as late as midnight. Their world-famous crab cakes have been voted Best in South Jersey by SJ Magazine for eight years running, so they are a must-try next time you stop in! Pair your dinner with something off the wine list, which has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the past nine years. Stop in between 7:30-9:30 a.m. to enjoy the 222 Breakfast Special – 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, and 2 strips of bacon for $2.22. Rio Station is open year-round, so stop by anytime to order a Cactus Flower, say hello to Devon, and order a delicious meal off the menu!
Rio Station
3505 Route 9 South, Rio Grande
609-889-2000; riostation.com