Every March 17, it's incumbent upon the Irish (and those just claiming to be) to show allegiance to Erin with some kind of drink. Most aren't very creative in their choices, which usually runs the spectrum from Irish stout (don't even get us started on beer dyed green) and Irish Coffee, the most famous mixed drink to either come out of Ireland or contain java.
But it doesn't have to be so limiting. The whiskeys of Ireland are so smooth and amicable that they invite combinations with almost anything. From the blends typically triple-distilled in a column to the heartier single-pot-still and single-malt whiskeys and even the occasional peated offering, the spirit of Ireland offers many mixing possibilities. Here are a few of our favorites.
Elderflowers of Meath
Named for Meath, the ancient seat of Irish kings and a county flush with elderflowers, this highball in a Collins glass is the creation of Teeling whiskey. While the whiskey comes from urban Dublin, the cocktail evokes Ireland's lush countryside. Developed as a Gin & Tonic alternative, it claims a life of its own. The lilt of Irish whiskey colludes with the floral sweetness and pears of elderflower as well as the tangy berries and caramel depth of vermouth to create an ode to the Emerald Isle. We've slightly altered the original recipe to express quantities in ounces rather than in parts.
1 1/2 oz. Teeling Irish whiskey
1 oz. St. Germain elderflower liqueur
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
Soda water
This story is from the March / April 2023 edition of Cigar Aficionado.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March / April 2023 edition of Cigar Aficionado.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CIGAR AFICIONADO'S 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW
AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT A YEAR'S WORTH OF CIGAR RATINGS
A Soprano No More
Michael Imperioli is standing just inside the door of Scarlet, he and his wife's new bar and restaurant on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
Like Father Like Son
Charlie Woods is growing up. Will he follow Tiger's famous footsteps?
THE SPHERE LIGHTS UP LAS VEGAS
IN A CITY FILLED WITH BRIGHT SHINY OBJECTS, NOTHING CATCHES THE EYE MORE THAN THIS $2.3 BILLION DOME
Secretariat's Ride to Derby Glory
Even the most hallowed of sports records get eclipsed. Roger Bannister was the first to run a four-minute mile, but that feat has been vanquished again and again.
Smoking In (And Around) Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky, has all the charm and character of a city with deep connections to a pair of American sporting pastimes: horse racing and baseball.
The Drink of the Derby
More than 120,000 icy cold Mint Juleps will be served on May 4 at Churchill Downs
The Brown-Forman Way
For more than a century and a half, the Kentucky whiskey giant behind Woodford Reserve, Old Forester and many other spirits brands has prospered by matching tradition with foresight
The Gambler
Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Farm has gone from a hobby to the top Thoroughbred horse breeding operation in America
Living for the Track
FanDuel host Michael Joyce has been in love with horse racing since he was a boy