Irish Blackthorn

August 17, 2010 (Day 200) — Irish Blackthorn

We’ve been on a bit of a tropical/foofy/girly drink kick lately. How about something with a little bit of oomph? Something that will put some hair on your chest, smack you in the teeth while relaxing you at the same time. Something with, shall we say… balls.

Irish whiskey is always willing to fill that gap. I sip on Bushmills and I think of sitting in an Irish pub with some Dropkick Murphys pouring out form the jukebox. So, the Irish Blackthorn seemed like the perfect drink to sip after mowing in the summer heat and settling down for a cocktail and “Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced” pumped at full blast.

Ahhhhhhh.

Now, by definition the blackthorn is a deciduous tree that — according to that every dependable resource the “Interwebs” — has negative connotations in Christian mythology, often being associated with witchcraft. Sweet. I already like it. It’s also village in the UK.

More up my alley, it’s also the name of a rugby team!

So, it’s god some bad-ass-ness to live up to. Can it pull it off?

Irish Blackthorn

1.5 oz Irish whisky (Bushmills)

1.5 oz extra dry vermouth

3 dashes absinthe

3 dashes Angostura bitters

In a rocks glass filled with ice, pour the whiskey, vermouth, absinthe and bitters. Stir well until chilled and well mixed.

So? How is it? Since we’re on the rugby theme, how about an All Blacks haka to psyche you up?

Back? Feeling psyched up? Good, because this drink is a beast. And I mean that in a very affectionate way. It’s harsh, but it’s well balanced. The first flavors you get are the pleasant burns of the whisky and dry vermouth. After that you have the sweet licorice flavor of the absinthe and little bit of spice from the bitters.

Not for the faint of heart, it is wonderfully offensive.

Cheers!

— Mark