Irish Old Fashioned, a modern take on a classic. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

This cocktail is an update on the classic Old Fashioned by Jack McGarry, the co-founder of The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog in New York. This drink subs in Irish Whiskey for Bourbon, Benedictine for Simple Syrup and adds Orange Bitters. About the only things that remain are the Aromatic Bitters and the Orange Twist.

This variation may give the original Old Fashioned a run for its money. It's really complex and herbal and spiced and citrusy and it's extremely easy to drink. If you love the taste of Whiskey, you'll like it. If you don't love the taste of Whiskey, you'll like it too. It really meets at a great nexus of flavors.

One of the keys to getting it just right is to control the level of dilution. You need to make sure it's diluted enough to take some of the sting out, but not enough to totally thin out the flavors.

Obviously for the Benedictine, make sure you're using actual Benedictine and not B&B (the pre-made cocktail). The problem is that the bottles and labels look pretty similar. But just make sure it's Benedictine.

I guess if you use a non-Irish Whisk(e)y for this drink, I'm sure it will still be awesome, but I guess you'll have to come up with another name for it.

For the Irish Whiskey, I like using a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, or what used to be called a Pure Pot Still Irish Whiskey. The distinguishing mark of an Irish Whiskey is that it is made from both malted and unmalted barley (as opposed to a Single Malt Scotch, for instance, which is all malted barley). Most Irish Whiskeys (Blended Irish Whiskeys) start off as Single Pot Still Irish Whiskeys, but then neutral grain alcohol is added to help stretch out the product and make it cheaper to produce without sacrificing potency (proof). This results in the Blended Irish Whiskey having a thinner taste to it. The Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey has a much bolder, meatier flavor to it. Red Breast, Green Spot, Powers Signature Release, Powers John's Lane, etc. are all good Single Pot Stills. I like Green Spot for this one, but use whatever tickles your fancy. Sláinte!

Recipe:

2 oz Irish Whiskey

0.75 oz Benedictine

2 dashes Orange Bitters

2 dashes Aromatic Bitters

garnish Orange Twist

Stir over ice. Strain into chilled rocks glass over ice. Garnish with orange twist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9wnVgf1IUA

bon appetit