I enjoy celebrating local artisinally produced products. One of my favorites is a (relatively) new distillery called New Scotland Spirits. I’ve enjoyed their whisky since they first released it a few years ago.
A few months ago while searching for Argentinian-themed cocktails, I happened across a recipe for a cocktail that was created for Jameson and their Irish whiskey: El General. It’s basically an Old Fashioned, with a red wine syrup instead of a muddled sugar cube.
I figured I could make an Albany-themed version with Helderberg Winter Wheat Whiskey. Smoked cherry bitters add a little more darkness to it. I’m reasonably pleased with the result.
In addition to local whisky, I used smoked cherry bitters from Weathertop Farm in Albany County. I would have enjoyed using a local red wine for the syrup as well, but I didn’t have one that seemed suitable. I suspect that Altamont Vineyard has a red that would work. Maybe next time.
Àn Laochra
Scots Gaelic for “The Warrior.” It seemed a fitting name, given the choice of whisky.
- 2 oz Helderberg Winter Wheat Whiskey
- 2 tsp red wine syrup*
- 2 dashes angostura bitters
- 2 dashes smoked cherry bitters
Combine in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir. Strain into a chilled rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a twist of orange.
*Red Wine Syrup
This is basically simple syrup, except with red wine instead of water. It’s pretty sweet, even with a drier red wine (I used Black Box Malbec, a wine from Argentina). The next time I make it, I’ll use a bit less sugar.