Mikado

Another drink to go with the Cherry Blossom festival, this is a Japanese-themed drink named after a Gilbert and Sullivan opera.

• 3 oz. brandy
• 1/4 tsp. creme de noyaux
• 1/4 tsp. triple sec
• 1/4 tsp. orgeat syrup
• 3-5 dashes of Angostura bitters

Combine all ingredients except bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add bitters.

Cherry Blossom

Spring is here, and Spring in D.C. is a cherry blossom event that brings people from all over the world. Bars are turning out cherry themed drinks, but this is an old one I got from the NY Bartender's Guide. The blossoms came from a tree outside, though.

• 2 oz. brandy
• 1 oz. kirschwasser (I used 1/2 oz. Luxardo)
• 1/2 oz. triple sec
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. simple syrup
• 1 tbsp. grenadine

Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Shark Attack

This is a kitchy and fun drink to make in front of people. It's basically a vodka and lemonade. I suggest using fresh squeezed lemon juice.

• 3 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• 1 oz. simple syrup
• 1 tbsp. grenadine

Build drink in a clear highball glass with ice and all ingredients except grenadine. Swizzle the glass until it and the contents are cold. Serve the drink while pouring the grenadine on top to simulate blood in the water.

Tahiti Club

This is a nice tiki-style drink along the lines of a Trader Vic punch. It was easy to make, too as long as you have Luxardo.

• 2 oz. gold rum
• 1/2 oz. Luxardo
• 1 oz. pineapple juice
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• orange slice

Combine all ingredients except orange slice in a shaker or blender with ice. Pour into a highball glass and garnish with orange slice.

Kentucky Mint

I found this one on my phone app and decided it was a good use of my homemade creme de menthe.
Following these instructions gets you a 3 oz. drink, which looks small in my large glasses. That is fine, because this one is especially sweet like a cordial.

• 1 1/2 oz. bourbon
• 1/2 oz. creme de menthe
• 1/2 oz. white creme de cacao

Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Eric The Red

An easy cocktail along the lines of the Godfather.

• 1 1/2 oz. scotch
• 1/2 oz. Cherry Heering

Build ingredients with ice in an Old Fashioned glass and stir.

Banff Bang

Banff is a small town in the north highlands of Scotland that is particularly famous for its whiskies. Sherry is a common ingredient in highland scotch, which it takes from finishing in sherry barrels.

• 1 1/2 oz. gin
• 1 oz. scotch
• 1 oz. amontillado sherry
• 1 tsp. dry vermouth
• lemon peel

Combine all ingredients except twist in a shaker with ice. Stir or shake and pour into an Old Fashioned glass.

Banf Cocktail

This is a nice liqueur cocktail with a Canadian whisky base. I really enjoyed the interplay of flavors between the Grand Marnier and the Luxardo.

• 2 oz. Canadian whisky
• 1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
• 1/2 oz. kirschwasser (Luxardo used sparingly for its strong flavor)
• dash Angostura bitters

Combine all ingredients except bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Temptation Cocktail

 

This is an excellent drink with plenty of that soft flavor you get from Pernod without it overpowering it. 

• 2 oz. blended whiskey (Canadian pictured)
• 1/2 oz. Cointreau
• 1/2 Dubonnet Rouge
• 1tsp. Pernod
• lemon twist

Combine all ingredients except for lemon twist in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with the lemon twist.

Trois Rivieres

Here's another great Canadian whisky drink I really liked. Lots of wine flavors here, but you can taste the whisky (Note: Canadians  spell their spirit without the "e" according to the rule that the e belongs in whiskeys made by countries with the letter e in the name.)

• 2 oz. Canadian whisky
• 1/2 oz. Dubonnet Rouge
• Cointreau
• orange twist

Combine all ingredients except twist in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the orange twist.

Quebec Cocktail

Doing research for my Irish whiskey drinks led me to a few good Canadian whisky drinks. I especially like how these drinks fit the same profile as the Irish ones where the whiskey takes a back seat to liquor and wine flavors. Here's how to make the first one.

• 3 oz. Canadian whisky
• 1 oz Amer Picon
• 1 oz. dry vermouth
• 1/2 oz. maraschino liqueur

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Kerry Cooler

Yes. That is James Joyce stepping out in front of that bottle sherry. This is my last Irish whiskey post for the Irish cocktail project. It makes a solid 20 (a guinea of drinks) and a sound finish to this adventure. I'm sure Joyce would approve. This last one took two tries, because I ran out of orgeat syrup. Now rectified, I think this is a respectable drink, and about as strong as I would hope for as a finale. Here's the recipe:

• 2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1 oz. medium sherry
• 1 oz. orgeat syrup
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• club soda
• lemon peel

Combine all ingredients except club soda in a shaker full of ice. Shake and pour into a highball glass. Top with soda and garnish with a lemon peel.

Dingle Dram

Not to be confused with the Dundee Dram, this Irish whiskey cocktail is a coffee lover's delight. If you don't have coffee flavored soda, try combining coffee liqueur with soda, it works just as well.

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1/1 oz. Irish Mist (Bushmills Irish Honey pictured)
• Coffee Soda
• Dash creme de cacao
• whipped cream

Pour whiskey and Irish Mist into a chilled highball glass with ice. Fill with coffee soda and stir. Add a float of creme de cacao and top with whipped cream.

Wicklow Cooler

This is the most tropical cocktail I've made with Irish whiskey. It helps that there's dark rum and orgeat syrup in it, though. Perfect for poolside once the weather turns in our favor.

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1 oz. dark rum
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• 1 oz. orange juice
• 1 tsp. orgeat syrup
• ginger ale

Combine all ingredients except soda in a shaker or blender. Pour into a chilled Collins glass. Top with ginger ale.

Innisfree Fizz

A nice, light and orange flavored soda drink. Definitely do this if you have the stuff.

• 2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• 1 oz. curacao
• 1/2 tsp simple syrup
• club soda

Mix all ingredients except with ice in a shaker or blender. Pour into a chilled wine goblet and top with soda.

Irish Fix

Another tropical application of Irish whiskey, the Fix might just as well be a rum drink, but then it would be for pirates.

• 2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1/2 oz. Irish Mist (Bushmills Irish Honey pictured)
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. pineapple juice
• orange slice
• lemon slice
• pineapple spear

Mix all ingredients except fruit pieces in a blender and pour into an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with the fruit.

Glenbeigh Fizz

This one is a really nice, whiskey-forward cocktail with sherry and almond notes. Very refreshing for all that, too. If you have a medium sherry and creme de noyaux, you should try this.

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1 oz. medium sherry
• 1/2 oz. creme de noyaux
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• club soda

Mix all ingredients except club soda and lemon slice with ice in a shaker. Pour into a chilled highball glass and fill with club soda.

Skibbereen Tonic

Named for the seaside town in County Cork, this is about as basic as you can get. Imagine a gin and tonic but made with whiskey. It works rather well!

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• tonic water
• lime wedge

Build drink in a highball glass with ice starting with whiskey, top with tonic water, and garnish with lime wedge.

Irish Coffee

This is an especially attractive Irish Coffee made to order at Murphy's.

• 1 oz. Irish whiskey
• Coffee
• whipped cream

Build drink in order of ingredients and float whipped cream on top.

Paddy Cocktail

Another drink request at Murphy's. This one is a Manhattan with Jameson, vermouth and cherry bitters. You should ask for this on the 17th!

• 2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 3/4 oz. sweet vermouth
• several dashes of bitters
• cherry

Combine whiskey and vermouth in a shaker or mixing glass with ice. Stir or shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add dashes of bitters and cherry garnish.

Parknasilla Peg Leg

I'm not sure if this drink is more Irish or pirate. It certainly is tropical and punch-like, which goes to show that Irish whiskey is very versatile.

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1 oz. coconut syrup (or rum as pictured)
• 3 oz. pineapple juice
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• club soda.

Build drink in a Collins glass with ice in order of ingredients. Top with club soda and garnish with fruit of your choice. 

Tipperary

An awesome drink with much spice and herbal flavor due to vermouth and green Chartreuse. A must do, for sure!

• 1 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1 oz. sweet vermouth
• 1/2 oz. green Chartreuse
• cherry

Combine all ingredients except cherry in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.

Ballylickey Belt

I really liked this with Bushmill's Irish Honey. It is a sweet soda drink, and flavored honey like lavender (in place of heather in this recipe) really made the drink.

• 1/2 tsp. heather honey
• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• club soda
• lemon peel

Muddle honey in a little soda water until dissolved. Pour in the whiskey and add ice cubes to fill the glass. Top off with club soda. Stir gently and garnish with the lemon peel. 

Ring of Kerry

This was the bartender's creation based on the ingredients. His layering technique made for a mini-Guinness effect, but the drawback was that it was warm. Here's the original recipe for a cold cocktail.

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
• 1/2 oz. Kahlua or creme de cacao

Combine all ingredients in a shaker or blender. Shake or blend until smooth and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.

Bow Street Special

Here begins a series of Irish whiskey drinks made to order at Murphy's Grand Irish Pub in Alexandria, VA. The bartender was gracious and willing to tackle these obscure recipes. This was a lot like a Sidecar, but with Irish whiskey. My feeling was that there was too much citrus, so I recommend halving the lemon juice to 1/2 oz.

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 3/4 oz. triple sec
• 1 oz. lemon juice

Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Irish Buck

If all else fails, your bartender will have Jameson and ginger ale. The combination is traditionally part of the Buck family. Rum Buck, Whiskey Buck, and Gin Buck are all members of this group. The Irish Buck makes more sense than most of them. But don't expect the bartender to know this unless he's a mixologist with curious mustaches. Just ask for a Jameson and Ginger.

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• ginger ale
• l/2 oz. lime juice

Build drink in a glass with fresh ice. Top with ginger ale.

Kinsale Cooler

Irish whiskey goes really well with lemon and soda. It's just a natural fact proven by experience. Definitely do this one.

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1 oz. Bushmills Irish Honey
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• top with equal parts club soda and ginger ale
• lemon twist

Combine all ingredients except sodas and twist in a shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a highball glass full of fresh ice. Top with soda and garnish with twist.

Irish Rainbow

As kitschy as this name sounds, it is still a solid drink and falls into the "Do" category for St. Patrick's Day. It is a flavoring to a drink that basically lets the whiskey stand out for itself. The overall flavor is of orange whiskey, so very pleasant.

•  1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• several dashes Pernod
• several dashes triple sec
• several dashes Luxardo
• several dashes Peychaud's Bitters
• orange peel

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake or stir and strain over new ice in an Old Fashioned glass. Drop orange peel into the glass.

Grafton Street Sour

This is a St. Patrick's Day  "Do." Anytime you substitute a whiskey or gin with Irish whiskey in a known cocktail, it will be a pleasant improvement. The addition of raspberry liqueur makes it that much more special.

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1/2 oz. triple sec
• 1 oz. lime juice
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• 1/4 oz. Chambord

Mix all ingredients except Chambord in a shaker with ice. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass with new ice. Garnish with a lime.

Blackthorn

Similar drinks have been done with single malt scotch. This one uses Teeling. It has an effect of making the whiskey, which is usually sweet and pairs well with digestives (cookies) and pie, taste more like a wine and pairs better with stew or fried food.

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 1 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
• several dashes Pernod
• several dashes Angostura bitters

Mix all ingredients with crushed ice in a shaker. Pour into a chilled Old Fashioned glass.

Bunratty Peg

This is the beginning of an Irish whiskey thread in honor of St. Patrick's Day and my upcoming article on St. Patrick's Day "Dos and Don'ts."

This is a version of the Rusty Nail but for Irish whiskey:

• 1 1/2 oz. Irish whiskey
• 3/4 oz. Irish Mist, Bushmills Irish Honey or The Knot

Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or with ice cubes in an Old Fashioned glass.

Good And Plenty (With House Made Coffee Liqueur)

This was a rich treat similar to eggnog, but made with ice cream. It's even richer with the addition of my own coffee liqueur. I don't have any photos of making the liqueur, but here are the steps for getting 2 cups of the stuff.

1. Add one scoop of ground coffee (Starbucks Colombian shown) to a clear container with a lid.
2. Pour in 1.5 cups of high proof vodka, 2 ounces creme de cacao, 1/4 cup light rum.
3. Sit container in a sunny window for an afternoon.
4. Use a funnel and coffee filter to strain out the grounds.
5. Add 4 oz. simple syrup or to taste.

The Good And Plenty

• 1 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. coffee liqueur
• 1/2 scoop ice cream
• dash Pernod

 Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend for a few seconds. Pour into a wine glass.