Smoky Scotch and Apple Sour

This is my best attempt to replicate one of my favourite drinks from Veneto Tapa Lounge, “The Satchmo.” Sweet, sour, and smoky manage to all come together in a harmonious fashion, with a subtle compliment of apple and cinnamon.

I have to hand it to the folks at Veneto for their creativity and consistency, as well as their ability to deliver with both classic and contemporary cocktails. These are the people that not only introduced me to classics such as the Vieux Carre and Seelbach Hotel, but also some of my new favourites such as the Satchmo, Aloe Kitty, The Wax Poetic, and Barjonesing. I highly recommend a visit to their location in the Rialto Hotel to give some of these a try; if you don’t know what to order, ask for a Vieux Carre.

Look for an Islay Scotch to add the smoky characteristic that really makes this drink work, I used Laphroaig 10 year. Apple bitters may be hard to find, but Angostura will work in a pinch.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz peaty Scotch

0.75 oz lemon juice

0.5 egg white

0.5 oz honey

3 dashes apple bitters (or Angostura)

Ice for shaking

Apple peels, about half an apple worth

1. Muddle the apple peels in a boston shaker. Add the Scotch, lemon juice, honey, bitters, and egg white. Shake vigorously, then add ice and shake again.

2. Strain with a fine mesh, and garnish with an apple slice.

Enjoy!

The Nicaula

Who doesn’t want a cocktail named after them? Like Paula and Nicole, this cocktail is very interesting, while also sweet, balanced, and complex. 

Mezcal is an amazing spirit. It is the scotch of tequila, but plays a little bit more nicely when it comes to cocktails. It can be hard to find, but it is worthwhile to pick up a bottle when you stumble across it. In Vancouver, try Legacy Liquor in Olympic Village. 

The apple bitters I’ve used in this recipe were homemade. You can find apple bitters in specialty liquor stores, or better yet make them yourself! Other fruity bitters would work as well with the mezcal. 

1 oz Mezcal

1/2 oz Amaro

5 dashes apple bitters

1/2 lemon

1/2 egg white

1/4 oz honey

To make:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake well, strain into coupe glass and garnish with an apple slice. 

Enjoy!