A World of Whiskey Cocktails
Slainte! Prost! Kampai! Cheers!
It’s been a week for cocktails. Monday was World Whiskey Day, and Wednesday was not only St. Patrick’s Day, but also National Cocktail Day. It’s a perfect time to celebrate uisge beatha (whiskey's Gaelic name), and we’re sharing some of our favorite cocktails made with whiskey produced around the world.
Scotland: Glenfiddich Godfather
Scotch is one of the most well-known whiskeys around, lauded for their smoky peat and smooth taste. This blend however, is inspired by Kentucky bourbon. Aged in bourbon barrels, it perfectly harmonizes the smooth sophistication of Scotland with the sweet kick of Kentucky resulting in a rich and vibrant single malt that shines brightly on its own and doesn’t need a whole lot of fixins to be enjoyed in a cocktail.
2 oz Glenfiddich 14yr Single Malt Whisky
¼ oz Nocino della Cristina Walnut Liqueur
Bitter Truth Orange Bitters
Add the scotch and the walnut liquer to a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, the stir for about 15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Finish with two dashes of orange bitters and stir. Garnish with an orange twist.
Portland, Oregon: As American As American Pie
Westward hails from Portland, Oregon which might not have been the first city that came to mind when thinking of whiskey. Westward does not disappoint with its notes of toasted, slightly sweet barley, honey and nuts it’s perfect for warm, inviting cocktails like this.
2 oz Westward Single Malt
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz of Trees Knees Gingerbread Maple Syrup
Dashfire Spiced Apple Bitters
Cinnamon stick
Combine the whiskey, lemon juice, syrup and cinnamon stick in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds, then strain the mixture into a serving glass over fresh ice. Add two dashes of the spiced apple bitters and finish with grated cinnamon, to taste.
Japan: Cherry Blossom Festival
Toki Suntory Whisky is an exceptional blend from Japan. Japanese whisky was originally inspired by Scottish blends, but grew to take on it’s own distinct character, one of subtle refinement with a more delicate palate. Toki is aromatic, silkily textured with subtle sweetness and a spicy finish.
Luxardo Whole Maraschino Cherries
1 1/2 oz Toki Suntory Whisky
2 1/2 oz Lillet Rouge
Bitter Truth Orange Bitters
Something & Nothing Hibiscus Rose Seltzer (if you like a subtler cocktail, plain seltzer is fine)
Muddle 4 cherries in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add ice whisky and the Lillet Rouge. Stir for 30 seconds, or until the shaker is frosted on the outside. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice, then finish with the seltzer. If desired, garnish with a cherry and orange twist.
Brooklyn, New York: Anywhere but Manhattan
New York Distlling’s Ragtime Rye Single Barrel is an exclusive blend of whiskey made just for Greene Grape. We picked the barrel ourselves (you can find it in the shop, just next to the bubbly). On the nose, there are swirling aromas of dark plum, eggnog and vanilla which explode into spicy, smooth, fruit forward complexity on the palate. Like us, it’s born and bred in Brooklyn.
2oz Ragtime Rye Single Barrel Whiskey
1/2 oz War and Rust Quina #6
1/2 oz Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth
Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters
Orange
Luxardo Whole Maraschino Cherries
Add the whiskey, sweet vermouth and quina in a shaker filled with ice. Stir well, then strain into serving glass over ice. Finish with a dash of bitters and stir to combine. Garnish with an orange twist and a cherry.
Ireland: A Drop of the Pure
Arguably the most popular whiskey in the world, no whiskey is complete without a good Irish whiskey. Pearse 5yr Single Malt is light, smooth and dangerously easy to drink, light oak, creamy vanilla and semi-sweet chocolate round out the palate and nicely complement the floral nose.
1 1/2 oz Pearse 5 yr Single Malt Irish Whiskey
1 oz Tio Diego Amontillado Sherry
1/2 oz Roulaison Amer
1/4 oz Ferrand Dry Curacao
Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters
Mix the sherry, whiskey, Amer, and curacao in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass filled with ice. Stir for about 15-20 seconds, then strain into a serving glass over fresh ice. Garnish with an orange or lemon twist.
