🌿 Blackthorn

Named for the Irish shillelagh – a stirred Irish classic

🇮🇪 Irish Whiskey

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Add Irish whiskey, dry vermouth, bitters, and absinthe to a mixing glass.
  2. Fill with ice and stir for 30 seconds until well-chilled.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  4. Express the lemon peel over the drink and drop it in.

Pro Tips

📜 The Name

The blackthorn is a thorny shrub native to Ireland, from which traditional Irish walking sticks (shillelaghs) are made. The shrub produces sloe berries, used to make sloe gin.

🌿 Absinthe Note

Just a dash of absinthe adds a subtle anise perfume without overwhelming the drink. If you don't have absinthe, Pernod or even a few drops of Herbsaint will work.

⚠️ Recipe Variations

There are several different Blackthorn recipes in cocktail history. This is the Irish whiskey version from the Savoy Cocktail Book. Another version uses sloe gin.

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