Hello and happy Friday once again. I’ve cleared my ‘rona quarantine at FOB: Cape Cod without any positive tests so I’m finally back home.

The bachelor party which was the reason for going to Vegas in the first place was highly entertaining as most bachelor parties are. I enjoyed how we went slightly off the beaten path for a good chunk of it and hung out at the end of Freemont Street and Old Vegas. On a recommendation from one of the guys in the party (who happens to be a bartender and photographer), we all went over to Atomic Liquors, which is a fantastic dive-y and very chill cocktail bar about a 10 minute walk from the end of the touristy bit of Freemont street.

A little bit of lore on the bar itself. Supposedly they named it Atomic because when the government would test nuclear weapons, patrons and staff would watch for the blasts from the roof.

What does this bar have to do with the drink this week? I’m re-creating a fantastic cocktail I had out there called the Nuclear Daiquiri. Here is the listing on the menu from their website:

Now notice there aren’t any proportions there. However, the Nuclear Daiquiri is a “Last Word” with over proof rum and falernum instead of gin and maraschino liqueur. I looked up a Last Word in the Please Don’t Tell book. I used the exact measurements but subbed:

.75 oz Wray and Nephew Over proof Jamaican Rum
.75 oz. Falernum
.75 oz. Green Chartreuse
.75 oz. lime juice

Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake with ice and strain. No garnish

The drink has a very rum forward nose. No surprise given the over proof rum used here. I can also detect some lime and Chartreuse scents in there as well.

The sip is very cold, smooth, and well balanced. The rum is most definitely noticeable, but not overpowering. If you didn’t know any better, you might think this is a really good normal proof rum. However the other flavors really disguise the fact that Wray and Nephew is 126 proof (63% alcohol).

The falernum is a great depth ingredient here. On top of containing the boozy rum flavor, the slight ginger sweetness balances the sour lime, so you get a nice combination of flavor about midway through the sip that carries all the way to the end. The rum and lime flavor lingers on the palate for a few seconds after you finish. That

As for the Chartreuse, I’m not sure I can pick up the flavor it brings. I suppose since this is the first time I’m using it I don’t know what I’m looking for flavor wise. Some cursory research (googling) shows that it has a slightly sweet, and herbal flavor. Perhaps that is where I get the sweetness mentioned above? I suppose the more often I use it I’ll start to pick up more of it’s flavors, which I fully intend on doing. As mentioned above, this drink is essentially a Last Word. I will be mixing and reviewing that one soon, once I re-stock my supply of limes, in order to get some more experience with the Chartreuse.

I really liked this when I was in Vegas, and I’m very pleased I’m able to re-create it at home. I highly recommend getting the ingredients to go nuclear with a daiquiri

(Banner image and Atomic Liquors exterior shot courtesy Matthew Tetrault Photography)