Tumbleweed Cocktail

"The Dude abides... I don't know about you, but I take comfort in that."

Musical Accompaniment: Tumbling Tumbleweeds by Sons of the Pioneers

*You will need to make (or purchase) at least the Ancho Chile Liqueur in advance. The rimming sugar is probably worth it. I liked it. You can certainly use blanco tequila. I tried making this with more lime juice and learned ancho does not like too much citrus. 

Ancho Chile Liqueur

This makes a goodly volume. Share or cut in half depending on your needs.

24 oz blanco tequila

1 or 1/2 oz dried ancho chile seeded and torn into 1/2-inch pieces

1/2 cinnamon stick

8 oz simple syrup

Combine ingredients in a glass jar. Seal and let sit for about a week shaking once or twice a day. 

Strain the jar's contents through a strainer lined with 3x cheese cloth into a large bowl.

Add the 8 oz of simple syrup and stir. 

Funnel into suitable bottles and stopper. 

Smokey Rimming Sugar

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Combine the ingredients into a shallow tupperware container, seal and shake. Gets better as it sits a while.