From Sparrow’s cocktail list, the Fancy Feather is our most layered warm-weather pour, a dual-agave drink with fresh pineapple, lime, and an absinthe rinse ($18).
About Fancy Feather
Two types of agave spirit walk into a cocktail. The mezcal brings smoke and earthiness. The reposado tequila brings barrel complexity and cooked-agave sweetness. Together, with fresh pineapple, lime, agave nectar, and an absinthe rinse on the glass, they make the Fancy Feather, a favorite of guests who want something genuinely complex. Using both mezcal and reposado in equal parts gives the drink layers neither spirit alone could provide. Mezcal brings smoke, minerals, and earth, agave with its wild character intact, while reposado brings the refinement of oak aging, a softer, rounder, more fruit-forward expression of the same plant. They share botanical DNA but taste like siblings raised in different landscapes.
The Recipe
- 1 oz Mezcal
- 1 oz Reposado Tequila
- 1.5 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Agave Nectar
- Absinthe rinse (coat the inside of the glass; discard excess)
Rinse a chilled coupe with a bar spoon of absinthe, swirl and discard. Shake the remaining ingredients with ice. Double strain into the absinthe-rinsed coupe. Garnish with a pineapple frond if available. The absinthe rinse is a technique borrowed from the Sazerac, leaving a faint aromatic ghost of anise and herbal botanicals that perfumes every sip without contributing actual absinthe flavor.
Tasting Notes
Tropical and smoky, bright and complex. Fresh pineapple and lime are the vivid opening notes. The dual agave spirits create a smoky, earthy middle that builds slowly. The absinthe rinse delivers a whisper of herbal anise on the finish. This is a cocktail that reveals itself over time, the first sip and the last taste notably different.
What to Pair It With
The Fancy Feather’s tropical brightness and mezcal smoke are exceptional with spiced, charred, and herbaceous dishes from the dinner menu. Try it with the Lamb Quesa-Birria Tacos, the Tuna Tartare, or the Mussels and Sausages. It holds up against bold flavors and brings out the best in lighter ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in the Fancy Feather?
The Fancy Feather is a dual-agave cocktail with equal parts mezcal and reposado tequila, fresh pineapple juice, fresh lime, agave nectar, and an absinthe rinse on the glass.
How much is the Fancy Feather at Sparrow?
It is $18 at Sparrow in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Juanita-Rita and the Last Light. We are on the Eastside in Kirkland, so reserve a table and come taste it.