Alright, it’s Tuesday, so sue me.  We had some site issues that kept me from posting this yesterday and hey, look, content!!!

I was sitting at work the other when my phone beeps alerting me that someone on Twitter mentioned me.  I check the tweeters and it was my buddy Chris informing some of us old fogies that this MxMo would be the last.  He sent along Fred’s announcement on Cocktail Virgin Slut that after almost 11 years, MxMo would be ending.  I tested Sean and we decided that the occasion called for an old-school Scofflaw cocktail makin’ hootnany.  Scofflaw’s Den has posted 52 articles for MxMo over the years and we’re happy (and a bit sad) to participate in the final one.

The theme is “Irish Wake” and as you can read from Fred’s post, the goal is to uncover or create a new recipe using Irish whiskey or tell a story where Irish whiskey played a role.  If you know Sean or I, or have read this site before, you know we like our whiskey and Irish whiskey is no exception.   Sean brought over a bottle of Powers and a bottle of Writer’s Tears.  I contributed a bottle of Redbreast 12 Year Old and Slieve Foy.

Sean brought over a bottle of BG Reynold’s Orgeat which we simply had to use.   Considering a theme of an Irish Wake, it only seemed appropriate to use an amaro as well.  Something dark and bitter just seemed appropriate.  We started with Nardini Bassano Amaro.  The roasted and coffee notes seemed perfect for a sad theme.  So after several drams of Irishwhiskey, we started mixin.

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The Nardini Amaro was determined to be too complex for the drink.  We needed something just as dark and bitter with just a little less going on.  Sean and I looked at each other and both said “Averna!”  After a couple of attempts we had a cocktail that we both really enjoyed.  I give you . . .

The Irish Goodbye
2 oz Irish Whiskey
.75 oz  Averna
.5 oz  fresh lemon juice
.5 oz orgeat

Mix all ingredients in an ice filled shaker and shake it like you’re hoping a potato will pop out.  Strain over ice and garnish with a maraschino cheery.

Now, of course, we can’t leave well enough alone.  When we go out there is a phenomenon we call the Irish Goodbye where a person simply disappears.  One second they are talking with you at the bar and then next, POOF, they are no where to be found.  The thing about the Irish Goodbye though is that you’ve still had quite an enjoyable night and you know that you will see your compatriot soon and bend elbows again.  With this in mind, I wanted to make the Irish Goodbye something eye catching for the final MxMo.

My freezer contained several hollow ice spheres I made for a party.  Using my smoke gun, I filled the ice sphere with apple wood smoke and plugged the hole with a maraschino cherry.  I then poured the cocktail over the ice sphere in a double old fashioned glass.  After the drink is served, using an ice pick you crack the ice sphere and POOF a puff of smoke rises from the cocktail and disappears into the ether.  A true Irish Goodbye.

Pictures!

Pouring the drink

Tapping the first ice ball

Tapping the second ice ball

Smoke on the cocktail