Blackthorn

I’m sticking with the whiskey theme this week and mixing up the Blackthorn.  Although, in looking for recipes for this drink I noticed that there are two completely different versions to choose from.  The first, and the one I’m going to mix this week, is a riff on the Manhattan combining whiskey and vermouth.  The second, which I may very well need to explore at a later date, is a combo of gin, Dubonnet Rouge and kirschwasser.  Intriguing.

The whiskey version comes from The Savoy Cocktail Book by way of my perennial favorite The Joy of Mixology.  I’m going to start with the Joy of Mixology version, but I’ll be coming back to the Savoy version as well.

Blackthorne (Joy of Mixology)

2 oz Irish Whiskey
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
Angostura Bitters to Taste
Absinthe to Taste
Lemon Twist

1) Combine ingredients in a mixing glass
2) Add ice and stir until well chilled
3) Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
4) Garnish with a lemon twist

No, that’s not a spelling mistake.  Gary Regan’s recipe adds an ‘e’ as it’s enough of a twist on the original to be a different cocktail.