Blood and Sand

April 8, 2010 (Day 68) — Blood and Sand

“Nobody gets away from Centurion Buford T. Augutus!”

If any of you got the pop culture reference above, congratulations! You just earned yourself 20 nerd points. Good job! (You’ve still got a ways to catch up to me, though. I’m TOTALLY a level 70 Popculture Palanerd).

In my actual job, I spend a good amount of time around scientists, talking to scientists, hanging out in laboratories and picking the brain of scientists. So, the more time I spend around the labs, watching them mix this with a bit of that to create sumptin else, it strikes me that the mixology of cocktailing is equal parts science and artistry. However, my efforts to procure a grungy lab coat, broken safety glasses, Erlenmeyer flasks, beakers, three Bunsen burners, a monocle and a beret were unsuccessful.

So far...

However, this is simply a minor set back. My two-headed monkey cocktail will have to wait. Until they least suspect it….

MWUAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!

*cough* Erm. Excuse me.

I digress.

Science of mixology! Yes! That’s where I was! The true point of my half-baked thoughts is inspired by this evenings drink: The Blood and Sand. The ingredients, as they stand by themselves are an…. odd combination. The scotch and vermouth I get. That’s all part of a Rob Roy. But then cherry brandy comes in (the liquor, not the stripper). Okay, that’s strange, but kinda cool. There was cherry brandy with gin in the Royal. I’m in my comfort zone. Then orange juice shows up.

Damn hipster oranges and their albums on vinyl...

Here it is. The Blood and Sand:

3/4 oz scotch

3/4 oz vermouth

1/4 oz cherry brandy

1 1/2 oz orange juice

Mix together well in a cocktail shaker, then pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

Hmm... I can't tell why it's called Blood and Sand...

This is excellent. Even for those who aren’t fans of scotch.

The recipe looks suspect, to say the least. Yet, everything mixed together, in the amounts prescribed above, results in something that’s greater than the sum of it’s parts. It’s soft, but powerful, with enough of a kick to make you realize you’re imbibing adult beverages. And the smoothness of it makes it tempting to swig this thing down fast.

But trust me, you’re going to want to savor this drink. This has to be a favorite of mine now. Do it.

Cheers!

— Mark