Tag Archives: Single Malt Scotch

The Penicillin Cocktail is Good for What Ails You

Posted on May 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

Penicillin Cocktail 003

Sam Ross created The Penicillin Cocktail in 2005. This was a time when it was almost unheard of to place even a single cube of ice in a glass of scotch. It kind of still is. But Sam went the distance and shook an entire serving of scotch with ice and created an amazing drink. Watch Sam make and explain the detail behind his signature Penicillin cocktail.

The Penicillin cocktail is good for ails you. It’s warming, lightly sweet with wonderful smoky spice. Ginger sweetness lilts through the drink bit by bit the longer this scotch cocktail sits in the glass. And will you just take a look at that amazing piece of ice. One Gläce Luxury Ice G-Cubed went the distance of two Penicillin cocktails with minimal melt factor.

The Penicillin Cocktail with Gläce Luxury Ice G-3

Penicillin

2 ounces Single Malt Scotch

3/4 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

3/4 ounce Ginger Vanilla Syrup*

1/4 ounce Islay Single Malt Scotch

Candied or Fresh Ginger Disk Garnish – optional

Place single malt Scotch, lemon juice and ginger syrup in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Float Islay Scotch on top. Garnish with candied or fresh ginger disk.

You might have noticed the recipe I’ve listed above varies just a bit from the one Sam describes in the video. As he mentioned, it is nearly impossible to duplicate his honey-ginger syrup. I also prefer Single Malt Scotch as mentioned when writing about the Cameron’s Kick scotch cocktail.

The Ginger Vanilla Syrup I created is listed below and posted in Mixers & Garnishes with step by step photos. This syrup is spicy sweet, caramel in color and delicious. It would be a terrific addition to dark rum Daiquiri’s.

Demerara Ginger Vanilla Syrup 286

Ginger Vanilla Syrup – created by Cheri Loughlin

3 Tablespoons Garden Gourmet Ginger Paste

1 cup Demerara Cane Sugar

2/3 cup Water

1 ounce Homemade Vanilla Extract

Place ginger, sugar and water in saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until sugar has melted and mixture begins to lightly bubble. Remove from heat. Double strain into heat resistant measuring cup. Allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Add vanilla. [store purchased Vanilla Extract may be substituted] Stir. Once syrup is completely cool, place in glass container with lid. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

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Posted in Short Drinks

Tagged Demerara Sugar, Fresh Lemon, Ginger Syrup, Glace Luxury Ice, Homemade Vanilla, Islay Scotch, Laiphroaig, Penicillin Cocktail, Sam Ross, Scotch, Single Malt Scotch, Vanilla Extract, Whisky

Mark Twain Classic Cocktail

Posted on May 1, 2013 | Leave a comment

The Mark Twain scotch cocktail apparently dates back well into the 1800’s making it a classic cocktail for sure. It is described by Mark Twain in a letter to his wife dated January, 1874. Twain had been traveling in London. While staying there he enjoyed a “cock-tail” before breakfast, dinner and just before bed containing Scotch, fresh lemon, crushed sugar and Angostura bitters.

This cocktail was recommended by Steve S. from comments on the Intoxicologist Facebook page. Thank you Steve!

Mark Twain

2 ounces Scotch

1-1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Sour*

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. *Fresh Lemon Sour: 2 parts Fresh Lemon Juice, 1 part Simple Syrup

I sampled the Mark Twain as suggested by Steve. I wasn’t thoroughly in love with it, but found great potential in it. The lemon overwhelmed the scotch entirely too much for my taste. It sort of flat lined into all acid lemon in my opinion. So I “tweaked” Mark Twain, so to speak. Don’t tell his wife!

“Tweaked” Mark Twain – adapted by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

2 ounces Single Malt Scotch

1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

Slightly less than 1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass.

I think a flamed orange peel might go terrific with this cocktail, but I got a little carried away sipping it and comparing it to the first version to stop and flame a peel. I suppose that means more research is in order! This variation of the Mark Twain classic cocktail renders a bit of nut flavor, mocha notes and subtle orange. In a word; delicious!

Cocktailia.com uses less Scotch, and a combination of 3/4 ounce Lemon Juice with 1 ounce Simple Syrup in place of Fresh Lemon Sour. Photo of the cocktail leads me to believe they used a single malt scotch. Their comments also said the lemon slightly overwhelmed the scotch, so 2 ounces might be better. Their readers sampled the recipe with Scotch and Bourbon and made the suggestion to cut back on simple syrup if using bourbon.

A really contemporary version to this classic cocktail is on the Art in the Age website. It’s basically a ginger snap flavor variation using a smokier scotch in less proportion. I haven’t sampled it, so I couldn’t comment on the way it tastes. But worth checking out if it appeals to you.

By the way, if you’re interested in how Samuel Clemens began to use the pen name, Mark Twain, you can read one theory which has to do with John Piper’s Saloon on B Street and a pair of whiskeys.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Angostura Bitters, Bourbon, Classic Bitters, Classic Cocktails, Fresh Lemon, Lemon Sour, Mark Twain, Scotch, Simple Syrup, Single Malt Scotch, Sugar, Whisky

Single Malt Scotch Cocktail: Cameron’s Kick

Posted on April 11, 2013 | Comments Off

We have quality single malt scotch for your enjoyment.

In the world of single malt scotches, you’re more likely to see an old fashioned glass with glistening scotch resting neatly or nestled snuggly within a few chilly rocks than served in a chilled martini glass cocktail style. But in the world of mixed drinks, scotch cocktails are seeing an increase in popularity. There are diehard scotch enthusiasts who believe the spirit shouldn’t be tainted with more than a bit or air, water or possibly a cube of ice. But adventurous consumers demand more. They’ve tasted and sampled the scotch. Now they want to explore and experiment with scotch cocktails.

Cameron’s Kick Scotch Cocktail

Like so many classic cocktails, Cameron’s Kick can be found with numerous recipe variations. I prefer this particular recipe with a Speyside single malt scotch for deeper, richer flavor. The one I used means “Valley of the Deer” in case you’re curious. I also cut the Orgeat syrup to 1/2 ounce for a little less sweet. Orange bitters are a nice addition. Garnish is not called for in the original recipe, but I think this scotch cocktail lends itself rather nicely to a thin orange peel twisted over the top to glean the essential oils and then discarded.

Cameron’s Kick

1-1/2 ounce Scotch

1-1/2 ounce Irish Whiskey

3/4 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

3/4 ounce Orgeat (Almond) Syrup

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass.

Wine Chateau carries a large selection of quality Scotch for your enjoyment including Single Malt Scotch. The scotch meaning “Valley of the Deer” that I used is in there too! Psst…It’s in a green bottle.

The Cocktail Data Base lists the Cameron’s Kick Cocktail with 1 ounce Scotch, 1/2 ounce Irish Whiskey, 3/4 ounce Lemon Juice and 2 dashes Orange Bitters. There’s no almond syrup, so this recipe might come across a wee bit pungent.

Many other writers, such as Jake Lahne of Smile Politely, use the recipe of 1 ounce each Scotch and Irish Whiskey and 1/2 ounce each Lemon Juice and Orgeat Syrup. Like others, Jake calls for blended scotch rather than single malt scotch. Single malt verses blended is all a matter of preference. Bill’s comment over at Cocktails at the Cove regarding the way the lemon juice disguises the taste of the scotch and whiskey is the reason I prefer a heartier single malt scotch for this particular drink.

It’s a Scotch cocktail after all. I want to taste the scotch!

Post sponsored by Wine Chateau. All commentary and opinions are my own.

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Posted in Sponsored Posts, Whiskey Cocktails

Tagged Almond Syrup, Cameron's Kick, Classic Cocktail, Fresh Lemon, Irish Whiskey, Orange Bitters, Orgeat Syrup, Scotch, Single Malt Scotch, Sponsored Post, Whisky, Wine Chateau

Review: Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Posted on August 13, 2012 | 1 Comment

The Major’s Reserve – Speyside

80 Proof / 40% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $30 / 750ml bottle

Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting Notes

Color: Light gold.

Aroma: Buttery. Leans toward medium weight. Very soft smoke. Fruit and nut aroma. Warming.

Tasted Neat: Coffee / mocha on the back end of first taste. Bit of cola carbonation sort of after coffee / mocha flavor fades. Almost detect taste of beer foam. Walnut. Date. Apricot.

Mouth Feel: Light, but not too thin.

Comparable Spirit: This scotch would easily please without leaning too far in extremes of smoke or singular flavors jumping to the forefront. Very approachable scotch.

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails:

I would sip this neat or on the rocks. It might also fair well in the Bobby Burns cocktail.

Glen Grant Major’s Summertime Punch

1 ounce Glen Grant The Major’s Reserve

1 ounce Sparkling Apple or Pear Cider

Splash Ginger Beer

Splash Fresh Lemon Juice

Apple Slices Garnish

Build in highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with apple slices. Alternative Serve: Multiply ingredients by number of servings needed. Build in pitcher or punch bowl over large block of ice. Ladle into punch or rocks glasses. Garnish.

Review sample provided by representatives of Campari America