St. Patrick's Day is upon us, and with it falling on a Friday, this Friday, the temptation to relive your college days and drink green beer is real. However, we're doing things a wee bit different. I've had my eye on a particular Jameson Irish Whiskey product for some time, and what better way to have some fun with the booze than during our weekend St. Paddy's celebrating?
Jameson collaborated with Irish microbrewery Franciscan Well to create its special Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition. How it all went down: Jameson sent its oak whiskey barrels to Franciscan Well to make an Irish stout, then Franciscan Well returned the stout-seasoned barrels to the distillery, which refilled them with Jameson Original. The result was a super-smooth, triple-distilled Irish whiskey enhanced with beer.
Of course, the go-to choice would be to pour two fingers of this delightful whiskey on some rocks and call it a day, but this isn't On the Rocks, where we splash stuff over ice. That being said, I don't want to drown the spirit in ginger ale either. Incorporating a homemade stout syrup, which helps the richness of the whiskey's stout shine through, seemed like the best way to add flavors and aromas that complement Caskmates.
I went the local route with Barley Mow Brewing Company's Total Wake Up Call Coffee Stout. Whatever stout you choose, though, make sure it's a quality one, as the syrup in our recipe concentrates the flavor.
So join me in getting fancy for the holiday with this week's cocktail. You won't regret it, like you might with all that green beer.
A Wee Bit Old Fashioned
Makes 1
Stout Syrup:
1 can Barley Mow Total Wake Up Call Coffee Stout
8 ounces sugar
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, pour in stout. Once boiling begins, reduce heat to low and let simmer until it reduces by half. Remove from heat and add sugar. Stir until dissolved. Keep covered and refrigerated.
Cocktail:
2 ounces Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition
3/4 ounce stout syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel, for garnish
In a Yarai or other mixing glass, add Caskmates, stout syrup and bitters. Top with a handful of ice. Stir for 30 seconds. Add another handful of ice and stir for another 20-30 seconds. Fill a rocks glass 2/3 with ice and strain in cocktail. Twist orange peel to express its oils, rub around the rim of the glass, and drop in drink.
Follow @cfasick on Twitter, or email him at cdfasick@gmail.com if there's a cocktail or recipe you'd like featured.
This article appears in Mar 16-23, 2017.