Irish Drinks with Knappogue Castle

The Kerry Cooler (above) benefits from using a single malt Irish whiskey like Knappogue Castle and a quality sherry. The effect is a sweet orgeat and lemon sour with a nutty malty richness that swings between a solid Whiskey and Soda and something more tropical.

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

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

Irish Buck--I've done this drink as a standard Buck with lime juice and soda. That kind of defeats the purpose of using a quality Irish whiskey. Just like the "correct and proper" Scotch and Soda, the Irish Buck dispenses with the citrus juice and just uses the scent from a slice of lemon or a twist of the peel. Nothing gets in the way of tasting that lovely malt of Knoppogue Castle, but you'll appreciate how much the essence of fruit changes a plain Irish Whiskey and Soda into a fabulous cocktail.

• 2 oz. Irish whiskey (Knappogue Castle used)
• club soda
• twist or slice of lemon

Build the cocktail with ice and whiskey in a Collins glass. Top with soda and stir gently. Twist the lemon peel and drop it in the glass.