Originally published on June 19, 2011.
Our cocktail program has gone a bit crazy. Nick wanted to whip up a cocktail featuring bacon-washed rye. Since we were going to be featuring it the day before Father’s Day, it morphed into the World’s Manliest Cocktail. At least as defined by us.
It’s a very manly take on the Ruby Manhattan – a Manhattan cocktail made with whiskey and ruby port in place of the sweet vermouth. Because really, what’s more manly than a rye whiskey and port cocktail? Well, how about a cocktail involving rye whiskey, port, bacon, cigar smoke and jolokia peppers? And bitters. I’m learning that bitters can be very manly. But for this cocktail, it was the salt rim that really seperated the boys from the men. It was intensly smokey and spicy. I think Nick choose the pink Himalayan salt just to counter-balance the sheer manliness of the rest of the drink. (Well, probably not. It’s probably because it has an extra bit of complexity.)
Here’s the “basic” recipe. If you want details of how to bacon-wash the rye, candy the bacon, or infuse the Himalayan salt…for that, you’ll have to talk directly to Nick!
THE WORLD’S MANLIEST COCKTAIL
2 1/4 oz bacon- washed Bulleit Rye Whiskey.
1 oz ruby port.
A drop of Liquid Smoke.
A dash of The Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters.
One large ice cube.
Spicy smoked tobacco-jolokia infused pink Himalayan salt – to rim the glass.
Candied bacon for garnish glass.
Use a tiny amount of bitters to lightly moisten the rim of the glass. Dip rim into spicy smoked salt to coat rim. Add a tiny drop of Liquid Smoke to glass and coat bottom. Add a dash of bitters and swirl around with liquid smoke. Add bacon-washed rye and port. Take a moment to bask in the aroma. Drop in one large ice cube. Garnish with candied bacon strip and enjoy. Share with dad, or keep it for yourself.