Get Rid of Holiday Controversy With Athol Brose
Stepping back from work is difficult, mainly because I have to eat every day, whether I want to or not. Even when I’m on vacation, the food I eat and the drinks I drink are analyzed and evaluated. “ May I write about this? “I ask.” Is this a hack ? “Some trips are more rewarding than others.
By that measure – and by many others – my recent trip to Montreal was incredibly successful. Not only did I eat and cook many great meals, but I also stayed at the house of my friend Devoyka , a very experienced cocktail master (who also happens to be a very talented songwriter ). She fed me many wonderful drinks in exchange for salad and mashed potatoes. (I’m very good at both, but I still think I got the best out of this deal.) After a farewell dinner of fried bologna sandwiches and semi-sour pickles, my host handed me the final cocktail, cream. a decoction of whiskey with added honey, which soothed me to a state of mild drowsiness before the long drive back to Portland.
According to Devoika, I am not the first person to be soothed by Athol Brose: “This drink is absolute magic. Google informs me that it is Scottish, named after the Earl of Athola (l) , who used a mixture of oatmeal, whiskey, cream and honey to quell the rebellion. (I don’t know, I think everyone was too drunk to fight, hide or remember what they believed in?) Of course, in this particular craft-cocktail format, it doesn’t quite look like its previous, more classic version, but that’s okay. It’s still tasty enough to be used as a weapon. “
In addition to scotch tape and 35% cream (the packaging will simply say “whipping cream”), you will need honey syrup, which is a simple mixture of three parts honey and one part hot water. This extra step may seem a little daunting at first, but it’s much easier than adding thick, viscous honey to cold scotch tape.
Athol Brose is the perfect way to end an evening, especially a chilly and festive one, but it’s also a good way to distract an upset uncle, calm a hostile brother or sister, or keep a good mood. To make it you will need:
- 2 ounce blended whiskey
- 1/2 ounce honey syrup
- 1 / 2-3 / 4 oz. 35% cream (for float)
Pour scotch tape and honey syrup into a chilled stirring glass, add cracked ice and stir to cool. You want it to be cold and not watered down to a watery oblivion, so aim for 25-30 seconds. In a separate cocktail shaker, add the cream and a small stone or two of ice and shake vigorously until the cream thickens. (We are not looking for dense clouds, only low density.) Strain the whiskey with honey while chilled, then slowly and carefully apply the cream on top. Enjoy immediately.