When life gives you cumquats or kumquats make a marmalade and mezcal cocktail – recipe

Punchy and tangy, this winter cocktail is a household favourite for bartender Cara Devine. She shares her recipes for a Lady Marmalade and a ‘slapdash’ jam

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In our Melbourne garden, the only fruit tree that produces with any regularity is a cumquat. Bitter little things, cumquats – spelled kumquats outside Australia – are not quite as versatile as most other citrus. So, I say “when life gives you cumquats, make marmalade!” – then use it in a punchy and tangy cocktail.

The Lady Marmalade is a late-night specialty in our household. You can make a non-alcoholic version by shaking up the marmalade with a tangy fruit juice. Grapefruit with a splash of lime works well; the marmalade adds texture and complexity that elevates the juice to mocktail status.