Inclement Weather - A Signature Cocktail for any Season

I created the Inclement Weather when I was commissioned to make a signature drink for a relative. They were pretty open to whatever ingredients I wanted to use so I tried to focus the flavor of the drink on their personality.

Picture yourself in a private lounge– but it’s also a library– built in an old building, you walk through the stacks and select a book, walk to the bartender and they hand you this drink in a cut crystal rocks glass. You find a deep leather armchair near an old lead glass window. It’s storming outside and the glass is tapping against the glass, you take sip, look at the fireplace across from you, and begin reading your book. That’s what the inclement weather tastes like.

The drink is a simple variation on the “Improved Whiskey Cocktail” which itself is a simple variation on the Old Fashioned (a favorite of the client). In this, heavily spirited, variation we supplement 1 oz of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, which is both affordable and delightful, with 2 oz of a Smokey Mezcal. Next we swapped out simple syrup for agave to compliment the Mezcal. Finally we use Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate bitters instead of Angostura and Peychaud’s. The result is something that really does improve upon an already improved drink.

After a few tests, I did decide that a must of absinthe, brings a welcome savoriness to the drink. Even for tasters who don’t usually like anis or absinthe the found it a welcome addition.

While this recipe does call for stirring this with crushed ice in a mixing glass and then straining it over fresh ice… c‘mom… it’s fine to just build it in the glass unless you’re trying to impress someone.

I hope you enjoy the Inclement Weather.

Inclement Weather

Picture yourself in a private lounge but it's also a library. You select a book, the bartender hands you the Inclement Weather on the rocks.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Mezcal
• 2 oz Bourbon Maker’s Mark
• ¼ oz Demerara Syrup
• ¼ oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 5 Dash Aztec Chocolate Bitters
• Absinthe to rinse
• 1 Brandied Cherry to garnish

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass combine Mezcal, Bourbon, Agave, Luxardo and Bitters with ice, stir vigorously until chilled
2. Spritz a rocks glass with Absinthe and add a large cube of ice
3. Strain the stirred cocktail in to glass
4. Add a cherry as garnish