I named this cocktail The Holzfäller, which is German for "woodsman" for a few reasons. Principally, it was inspired by my recent dinner at Portland's Alpine-themed restaurant Gruner. Two of its ingredients come from the Alpine region: Austrian Nux Alpina walnut liqueur and French Dolin Rouge sweet vermouth. Additionally, the smoked whiskey and homemade rosemary-brown sugar syrup are woodsy flavors in my mind. This cocktail is pretty potent, but sweet enough that it makes for mellow sipping.
The Holzfäller (Woodsman) Cocktail
1 1/2 oz. Corsair triple smoke whiskey
1/2 oz. Nux Alpina walnut liqueur
1/2 oz. Dolin Rouge sweet vermouth
1/2 oz. rosemary-brown sugar syrup (see recipe below)
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with crushed ice. Add whiskey, walnut liqueur, sweet vermouth and syrup. Shake until cold and strain into a chilled coupe.
Rosemary-Brown Sugar Syrup
3/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup water
2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, plus stems
Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan, including the rosemary stems. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and steep for 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool and strain into a container for storage in the refrigerator.
Yes, it's sweet enough for mellow sipping. It's also so delicious that it's hard to take it slow. (Just ask me.)
ReplyDeleteWent straight to your head, didn't it?
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