Burnt Scotsman

From Scotland With Love

I put this drink together here recently and it was one of those drinks that just kind of came to me out of the blue. I wasn’t sure if it would work but when I ended up just giving it a try it was one of those instant winners. I literally tried making it one time, and that one time was all it needed.  I’ve named it the Burnt Scotsman because all the main ingredients in it have their origin in Scotland. I recently picked up a new gin that’s distilled in Scotland called Edinburgh Gin. I figured hey one of my all time favorite gins is also distilled in Scotland and of course that's Hendrick’s, so this can’t be bad. Well I was right, it’s not bad in fact it’s amazing. What they’ve done with this gin that’s unique is they've distilled the gin with not only the usual suspects like juniper berries, and citrus peel, but also with pine and milk thistle. It’s really a well-balanced and crisp gin that you could sip on if you so choose. The other Scottish wonders here are Drambuie, and of course what’s more Scottish that Scotch. As you may know Drambuie has a great sweetness that comes from the honey used in the distilling process, and the Scotch I’ve chosen is Laphroaig. The Laphroaig is what really gives this drink its name, if you have never had Laphroaig Scotch you really need to try it and do so as soon as possible. It has an absolutely mind blowing smoke flavor and you can almost taste the ocean from the Isle of Islay in Scotland, that’s the tangy peat flavors coming through. I really think that you’ll fall in love with this drink and it’s deep complex flavors that work really well together.

Here’s what you’ll need

1 oz Edinburgh Gin

½ oz Laphroaig Scotch Whisky

½ oz Drambuie

1 oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

½ oz Simple Syrup

2 Dashes Fee Brother’s Gin Barrel Aged Orange Bitters

1 Dash Fee Brother’s West Indian Orange Bitters

What To Do

Combine all the ingredients into an ice fill cocktail shaker and shake hard for 10 seconds. Then double strain into a chilled cocktail coupe. Float a thin lemon wheel on top for garnish and serve as soon as possible. 

Julio Gone Green

Ok, again I know it's been a little while but you understand by now. I made a new drink and I really think you'll like it. I've really been trying to see what ingredients work well together and pushing the envelope as far as what combination of things I can use and make them work well together. This time I really knocked it out of the park. What I've done here is use cucumber, cilantro and habanero together with the great citrus flavors of orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit. And if those flavors alone don't scream "USE TEQUILA" I don't know what does. This drink is a perfect unison of sweet, savory, and spice. Give it a try and as always play with it and see what you get, and please don't forget to let me know.

What You'll Need

11/2 oz Don Julio Blanco Tequila
3/4 oz Cointreau
1/2-3/4 oz Habanero Simple Syrup (depends how spicy you want it)
Good Pinch of Fresh Cilantro (about 3-5 sprigs, play with this as well I tend to like a little more)
2 Slices of Fresh Cucumber (go a little thinker on these)
1/2 oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
2-4 dashes Fee Brother's Grapefruit Bitters
CO2

How To Make It

Start by combining the fresh cucumber, cilantro, lemon juice, lime juice and bitters in an empty cocktail shaker. Muddle those ingredients together, but remember you're not making a paste here you're just releasing oils and some of the juices. Once you've muddled them together add the tequila, Cointreau, and Habanero S.S. Add the good ice and give it a good shake. You really want everything very well incorporated in this one plus you'll get a great color in the finished product. Put some of the good ice in a well chilled Collins glass and double strain your drink right into it. Top the drink off with the CO2 and you're almost done. Remember if it looks good chances are it will be good. Garnish with a thin slice of cucumber and a sprig of cilantro. Now the most important part, drink it and enjoy every sip you take.

This one goes well with just about any Mexican, Southwest style meal you can think of. I think it's best with some fish tacos. See Tyler Florence's Ultimate Fish Tacos. OMG!!! Enough said.

You can't say that doesn't look amazing.

 

That's the color you're looking for. The greener the better here.