Don Q Rum Shares Recipe for 'Bloody Eyes' Meatballs and Espresso Cocktail

The recipe calls for exactly 14 to 15 meatballs, a precise yield determined by measuring three-ounce portions of the beef mixture. Chef Manny, associated with Don Q Rum, provided the instructions for a dish titled 'Bloody Eyes Meatballs.' The preparation requires two pounds of ground beef with an 80% to 85% lean ratio. The meat is combined with two large eggs, one cup of breadcrumbs, and half a cup of grated parmesan cheese. Additional ingredients include half a cup of minced yellow onion, two teaspoons of kosher salt, and one teaspoon each of black pepper, Italian seasonings, minced garlic, and oregano. A quarter cup of sliced basil is added to the final mix.

The process begins by setting the oven to broil with the rack in the lower-middle position. A large baking sheet is lined with foil and lightly greased with olive oil. The meat, eggs, and seasonings are mixed by hand in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. The chef instructs using hands to measure out one-third cup servings of the mixture. Each portion is rolled into a ball roughly the size of an egg. The formed meatballs are spaced evenly on the prepared sheet.

The meatballs cook in the broiler until the surface browns, which takes about 10 to 12 minutes. They are then flipped and cooked for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to brown the opposite side. The recipe pairs the meatballs with a cocktail named Don Q Carijillo. The drink consists of one ounce of Don Q Reserva 7, half an ounce of Licor 43, and half an ounce of rich simple syrup. These ingredients are combined with 2.5 ounces of cold brew or espresso. The mixture is shaken and served on the rocks with an orange zest garnish.

The instructions specify that the meatballs should be browned on the surface before flipping. The cocktail recipe does not specify a particular glass type but requires shaking. The meatball recipe does not call for frying. The ingredients list includes specific measurements for all dry and liquid components. The oven temperature is set to broil rather than a specific degree. The yield is fixed at 14 to 15 items based on the 3-ounce portion size.