“O Dayspring” | Radiance O’Fashioned

For each of the ancient “O Antiphon” prayers in this week preceding Christmas, I will be offering prayers and a variation on an Old Fashioned.

Today’s O Antiphon: “O Dayspring” (or “Radiant Dawn” or “Dawn of the East”)

The entire premise of Advent is that we sit with the darkness of the world and our hearts, waiting with anticipation and longing for light to break through. Then, at Christmas, we joyfully celebrate that the light has come and will come again. But today, we feel the night and wait for the Radiant Dawn, tasting its light–literally. (I’m super proud of this cocktail, by the way.)

Today’s Prayer & Scripture

O Dayspring, Splendor of everlasting light and Sun of justice: come and shine on them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.” All of verses 1-7 are a classic Advent text worth your time. For further reflection, read Malachi 4, the last chapter of the Old Testament, where the prophet says that “the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings”.

The Drink: Radiance O’Fashioned

• 1.5oz Tequila
• .5oz Mezcal
• .5oz Passion fruit Syrup
• 4 dashes Grapefruit Bitters
• Lime Wedge garnish

Stir all ingredients and pour over fresh ice. Garnish with lime wedge and optionally squeeze over the drink.

Yes, this is my attempt at a margarita in the form of an Old Fashioned. But it works! Like I said, above, I’m really proud of this. My wife loves tiki drinks and hates spirit-forward cocktails, but she loved this!

Thematically, it looks like a beautiful sunrise, but the Mezcal is a reminder of the darkness. Also, being a stirred drink, it is silky rather than effervescent. It really does make a difference.

In this drink, use whatever Tequila and Mezcal you like. (I used Espolon and Del Maguey Vida, for what it’s worth) For passion fruit syrup, the best one out there is Liber & Co’s. Seriously, this stuff is amazing. I’m using Australian Bitters Co. Grapefruit Bitters.

An Old Fashioned cannot have juice in it, so this one doesn’t. However… you have some wiggle room with the garnish. If you make it a lime wedge, then the drinker can theoretically add lime juice to the drink after the fact and you can still say it’s an Old Fashioned. Just saying. Cheers!

[art credit: “Sunrise” by Aliye Berger]

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